Sinn Fein to 'follow terms of Agreement'

Sinn Féin's Ard Chomhairle has today met in Dublin to discuss the consultations held within the party over the past two weeks, and to get a report on the ongoing negotiations with the two governments on some of the core outstanding issues of the St Andrew's Agreement.

As a result of the meeting, the Ard Chomhairle has decided to "follow the course set out in the agreement" in a bid to allow the Northern Ireland political process to move forward.

Party Chairman Mary Lou McDonald MEP, briefed the delegation on the findings of the consultation period over the past fortnight.

She said: "We need to ensure that progress is made on the basis of the Good Friday Agreement.

"Events of the last two weeks show us how difficult all of this is going to be to achieve and how much work has still to be done."

The Northern Ireland political parties each have until this Friday to decide whether or not they will support the terms of the St Andrews Agreement, in an attempt to restore an all-party power-sharing assembly.

If the parties are able to come to an agreement, a power sharing assembly is expected to be up and running by next spring.

(EF)