SF seeks summit on collusion

Sinn Fein today called for a British Irish summit on allegations of collusion between security forces in Northern Ireland and…

Sinn Fein today called for a British Irish summit on allegations of collusion between security forces in Northern Ireland and loyalist paramilitaries.

A special Sinn Fein conference discussing the allegations was held in Dublin today. Justice spokesman Aengus O Snodaigh TD said Sinn Fein would be tabling a motion in the Dail calling for the summit to follow a debate on collusion.

He said: "Given the seriousness of what has been exposed by Nuala O'Loan and previous Oireachtas and Barron reports, the government needs to set aside at least one full day for debate on the upcoming McEntee report."

The deputy said there was concern that the government would try and rush the debate and impose a guillotine as had happened with previous contentious reports.

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He said he welcomed the commitment from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to schedule a Dail debate on collusion following publication of the McEntee report. "Patrick McEntee may present his final report to government as early as this coming Wednesday.

"We would call on the government to set out now their proposals regarding the duration and format of the debate and the type of action that would follow," said Mr O Snodaigh.

Last November the Barr Report, Nally Report and Morris Reports were taken together and debate limited to five hours - when they were "some of the most significant reports ever published on the topic of Garda corruption, indiscipline and mis-management", he said.

He said he would be raising the issue of a summit to follow a debate at the Whips meeting next week.