Sinn Fein's director of publicity, Ms Rita O'Hare, has denied reports in yesterday's Sunday Independent that the party's president, Mr Gerry Adams, pulled out of a planned meeting with the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern.
Ms O'Hare said: "A journalist for the Sunday Independent rang me several days ago and asked me about this claim. I informed him then that no meeting had been arranged and that any suggestion that Gerry Adams had pulled out of a meeting with Mr Ahern was absolute nonsense.
"It is regrettable that the Sunday Independent chose at this difficult and sensitive time to carry this report knowing it to be untrue.
"Sinn Fein is, of course, prepared to meet anyone who can help rebuild the peace process. This is obviously particularly true of those with influence and authority."