Republican Sinn Fein will discuss the peace process, the Patten report on policing and expanding its organisation in the North at its ardfheis in Dublin at the weekend. The party has just announced that it is to open an office in Belfast for the first time. A total of 82 motions will be discussed at the two-day ardfheis. Delegates will attend from both sides of the Border, and from England and Scotland.
One resolution condemns the Sinn Fein and SDLP members who entered the North's Assembly as being "guilty of treachery". Another demands that the Provisional IRA and Sinn Fein "drop the name of republicanism, as they have discredited the meaning of the name and are not fit to call themselves by it".
A motion from a Belfast cumann rejects the Patten report, describing it as "irrelevant to republicans, as Chris Patten and his commission are part of British rule in Ireland". Another resolution calls for the disbandment of the RUC. A motion from a cumann in Coalisland demands an immediate British withdrawal, stating that this is "the only thing that will lead to genuine peace and justice in this country".
The ardfheis will be addressed by party president Mr Ruairi O Bradaigh.