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15/01/2007
Sinn Fein decide to confer on policing
The Sinn Fein party executive meeting has decided to hold a series of meetings on policing and a special conference will be held on January 28 with a vote on backing policing.
Following the meeting of party's Ard Chomhairle in Dublin, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that backing had been received for a proposal for an extraordinary Ard Fheis to go ahead on January 28.
"This is a hugely courageous decision and will ensure that the
process continues to move forward," Mr Adams said. "I believe that the new beginning to policing promised in the Good Friday Agreement is now within our grasp. Sinn Fein wants to get policing right. The Extraordinary Sinn Fein Ard Fheis is the important next step."
Mr Adams said: "Irish republicans and nationalists want, need and deserve proper and accountable policing. On Thursday, December 28, I said that I believe that Irish republicans need now to take the necessary next step on policing that it is the right thing to do. This was the position I put to today's meeting. In response, the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle today took the historic and courageous decision to proceed to an Ard Fheis on policing despite the failure of the DUP to respond positively.
"If the Ard Fheis adopts the proposed motion then we will have the potential, for the first time ever, for the full involvement by Irish republicans in policing structures across the island."
While some republicans see the move by Sinn Fein to back policing in Northern Ireland as a step too far, both Mr Blair and Mr Ahern have made it clear that is a prerequisite for getting devolution on track.
The DUP leader Ian Paisley cautiously welcomed the decision by Sinn Fein as a "step forward," but have said that they must see action and not just words.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey called for open meetings to be held between the party leaders. The SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Sinn Fein would have to agree to accept policing.
NI Secretary of State, Peter Hain said: "This is very good news for everyone who has the interests of Northern Ireland at heart.
"By committing the Republican movement to support for the police in the clear and unequivocal terms that it has, Sinn Fein has played its part in breaking the deadlock that has paralysed political progress in Northern Ireland.
"The St Andrews Agreement made it clear that a lasting settlement must be based on the twin pillars of support for police and justice by everyone and power sharing on a fair and equitable basis by everyone.
"Of course there must be delivery on both of these commitments and there is absolutely no reason why we should not be on course for the restoration of the Assembly and Executive on 26 March and the devolution of policing and justice by May 2008."
(SP/KMcA)
Following the meeting of party's Ard Chomhairle in Dublin, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that backing had been received for a proposal for an extraordinary Ard Fheis to go ahead on January 28.
"This is a hugely courageous decision and will ensure that the
process continues to move forward," Mr Adams said. "I believe that the new beginning to policing promised in the Good Friday Agreement is now within our grasp. Sinn Fein wants to get policing right. The Extraordinary Sinn Fein Ard Fheis is the important next step."
Mr Adams said: "Irish republicans and nationalists want, need and deserve proper and accountable policing. On Thursday, December 28, I said that I believe that Irish republicans need now to take the necessary next step on policing that it is the right thing to do. This was the position I put to today's meeting. In response, the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle today took the historic and courageous decision to proceed to an Ard Fheis on policing despite the failure of the DUP to respond positively.
"If the Ard Fheis adopts the proposed motion then we will have the potential, for the first time ever, for the full involvement by Irish republicans in policing structures across the island."
While some republicans see the move by Sinn Fein to back policing in Northern Ireland as a step too far, both Mr Blair and Mr Ahern have made it clear that is a prerequisite for getting devolution on track.
The DUP leader Ian Paisley cautiously welcomed the decision by Sinn Fein as a "step forward," but have said that they must see action and not just words.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey called for open meetings to be held between the party leaders. The SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Sinn Fein would have to agree to accept policing.
NI Secretary of State, Peter Hain said: "This is very good news for everyone who has the interests of Northern Ireland at heart.
"By committing the Republican movement to support for the police in the clear and unequivocal terms that it has, Sinn Fein has played its part in breaking the deadlock that has paralysed political progress in Northern Ireland.
"The St Andrews Agreement made it clear that a lasting settlement must be based on the twin pillars of support for police and justice by everyone and power sharing on a fair and equitable basis by everyone.
"Of course there must be delivery on both of these commitments and there is absolutely no reason why we should not be on course for the restoration of the Assembly and Executive on 26 March and the devolution of policing and justice by May 2008."
(SP/KMcA)
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Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
29 January 2007
Sinn Fein policing decision welcomed
Sunday's vote by Sinn Fein members in favour of becoming involved in policing in Northern Ireland has been broadly welcomed.
Sinn Fein policing decision welcomed
Sunday's vote by Sinn Fein members in favour of becoming involved in policing in Northern Ireland has been broadly welcomed.
07 August 2002
SF renew attacks on SDLP over policing board
A war of words has erupted between Northern Ireland's two main nationalist and republican parties, with Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy accusing the SDLP of desperately trying to find "political cover" for joining the Policing Board.
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A war of words has erupted between Northern Ireland's two main nationalist and republican parties, with Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy accusing the SDLP of desperately trying to find "political cover" for joining the Policing Board.
20 September 2002
Sinn Fein Ard Fheis debates Policing Board stance
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Sinn Fein Ard Fheis debates Policing Board stance
Sinn Fein's ruling council will assemble in Dundalk today to discuss the party's position regarding their policy on policing. Members of Ard Fheis from across Ireland will congregate in the Republic's border town to debate whether republicans will take up seats on the District Policing Partnerships and the Policing Board.
12 October 2004
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
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