Sinn Fein 'wants policing consensus'

Sinn Fein 'wants policing consensus'

Gerry Adams is to speak extensively on policing

Gerry Adams has said he can see a situation where Sinn Fein would join the policing board.

Speaking at his party's Ard Fheis in Dublin, the Sinn Fein president said the people it represented "wanted policed and deserve to be policed".

However, he said the "terms and context" for Sinn Fein joining the board were not yet right.

In an interview for BBC's Inside Politics programme, he said the party would look at what proposals the two governments came up with and decide how to move forward from there.

Mr Adams said: "Do I see circumstances in which we will be part of the policing board - democratically taking up our position there? Yes, of course I can conceive of such a situation.

"Is it at the moment? - no it isn't."

A special ard fheis - yet to be called - will determine whether or not Sinn Fein will endorse the PSNI and join the board.

Delegates at the annual conference are debating the Northern Ireland political process.

Martin McGuinness praised dedication of UUP and DUP

Veteran republican and former IRA leader Joe Cahill told delegates the goal of a united Ireland could be won.

However, it would require work as the party's enemies would "not simply roll over".

Former senior IRA man, Martin Ferris, a member of the Irish parliament said the Irish Government could not escape some responsibility for the political impasse.

"We have had enough of British and unionists' bad faith to realise that unless these (contentious) issues are tied down prior to any agreement, then they will be watered down or ignored afterwards.

"It is up to (Irish foreign minister) Mr Cowen and his government therefore to join with Sinn Fein in ensuring that the agreement is implemented in full and that we can move on to make it a reality in the lives of all of the people of this island."

'Promised unionists'

Addressing hundreds of Sinn Fein members, Belfast Lord Mayor Alex Maskey told of his work in reaching out to members of the unionist community.

The party has made a reversal in its policy on the euro.

Speaking at the event on Friday, senior figure Martin McGuinness praised the efficiency and dedication of both Ulster Unionist and DUP ministers in the Stormont Executive.

Sinn Fein will debate everything under the sun, except decommissioning and sanctions

David Trimble
UUP leader

He promised unionists that Sinn Fein was willing and ready to work with them in the future.

However, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble warned Sinn Fein that time was running out for efforts to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland.

"Time is short, time is very short," he said.

"They (Sinn Fein) have delayed and delayed and delayed. They cannot delay much longer."

Meanwhile, Irish Republic's national broadcaster RTE has broadcast the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis live on television for the first time, because of the rise in the party's electoral support.