27.2.04
IOL: Sinn Féin members gather for Ard Fheis
Sinn Féin members gather for Ard Fheis
27/02/2004 - 06:15:37
Sinn Féin members throughout Ireland were focusing on this summer’s election for the European Parliament today as they gathered in Dublin for their Ard Fheis.
The party was expected to give its European Parliament candidates centre stage on the opening night of its three-day conference.
Republicans believe they can capture seats on either side of the border in June’s poll.
Party strategists have particularly high hopes for their Dublin candidate Mary Lou McDonald, who will open the Conference tonight and also former Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brun who is bidding for a seat in Northern Ireland.
The Conference is taking place this weekend amid fears that the review of the Good Friday Agreement at Stormont could stall over concern about IRA activity.
David Trimble’s Ulster Unionists are threatening to walk out of the talks to restore devolution next week if the British and Irish governments fail to take decisive action against Sinn Féin over the attempted abduction of a man in Belfast last week.
Northern Ireland’s police chief Hugh Orde blamed the IRA for the incident, sparking a fresh crisis in the political process.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness were both expected to address the current crisis at Stormont in their speeches to delegates this weekend.
Sinn Féin members were due to debate the party’s plan for strengthening cross border links.
They were also expected to debate education issues in Northern Ireland and the Republic, the Irish presidency of the European Union, hear calls for a stronger United Nations and address the controversial bin tax in Dublin.
Sinn Féin delegates were also due to debate local governments, with crucial council elections also due to take place in June.
Sinn Féin members gather for Ard Fheis
27/02/2004 - 06:15:37
Sinn Féin members throughout Ireland were focusing on this summer’s election for the European Parliament today as they gathered in Dublin for their Ard Fheis.
The party was expected to give its European Parliament candidates centre stage on the opening night of its three-day conference.
Republicans believe they can capture seats on either side of the border in June’s poll.
Party strategists have particularly high hopes for their Dublin candidate Mary Lou McDonald, who will open the Conference tonight and also former Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brun who is bidding for a seat in Northern Ireland.
The Conference is taking place this weekend amid fears that the review of the Good Friday Agreement at Stormont could stall over concern about IRA activity.
David Trimble’s Ulster Unionists are threatening to walk out of the talks to restore devolution next week if the British and Irish governments fail to take decisive action against Sinn Féin over the attempted abduction of a man in Belfast last week.
Northern Ireland’s police chief Hugh Orde blamed the IRA for the incident, sparking a fresh crisis in the political process.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness were both expected to address the current crisis at Stormont in their speeches to delegates this weekend.
Sinn Féin members were due to debate the party’s plan for strengthening cross border links.
They were also expected to debate education issues in Northern Ireland and the Republic, the Irish presidency of the European Union, hear calls for a stronger United Nations and address the controversial bin tax in Dublin.
Sinn Féin delegates were also due to debate local governments, with crucial council elections also due to take place in June.
