Adams urges delegates to back policing in crucial vote
Republicans will move into a new phase of their fight for a united Ireland if they support the police north of the border, Gerry Adams claimed today.
In the opening address to more than 1,000 delegates at a special party conference in Dublin, Mr Adams urged them to back his proposal that for the first time in history they should support the police in the North.
He also insisted Sinn Féin would remain united regardless of what opposition was expressed at today’s meeting.
“The time is now right and I am appealing to you comrades to support this motion,” he said.
“Some of you may disagree. That is perfectly acceptable. For example, Ogra (Sinn Fein’s youth wing) disagrees with us on this issue. I wish they didn’t but I respect their position and I especially commend their resolve to accept the outcome of this ard fheis (party conference) debate.
“That is the way all of us need to face in today’s discussions.”
Following police reforms introduced from 2001 and a bid by Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair, Sinn Féin leaders believe it will advance their cause for a united Ireland if they back the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin leadership sources said they expected some internal resistance from party members on both sides of the border in areas like Munster and in parts of counties Tyrone and Armagh.
However they were optimistic there would be significant support for Sinn Féin moving onto policing structures in the North at this stage.
Mr Adams used his speech to attack the Government, claiming it had not acted as an equal partner with the British government in the peace process.
He also rounded on the SDLP, claiming it had failed to confront the issue of security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries.
“My friends, we cannot leave policing to the unionist parties or the SDLP or the Irish Government,” he said.
“We certainly cannot leave it to the British government. We cannot leave it to the securocrats. So let's have our debate and let’s take our decisions.”
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