SF deny meeting is attempt to get concessions

Sinn Fein negotiator Alex Maskey has denied the meeting between Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Bertie Ahern was a last minute attempt to squeeze more concessions on the package.

The Northern Ireland Assembly member for West Belfast said: "Our leadership has been in constant contact with both of the Governments since even the talks concluded at Weston Park so there’s nothing new in this.

"We are continuing to take every available opportunity to press home our analyses that the Agreement has not been implemented and what will be required to ensure it is implemented."

Addressing unionist demands for IRA disarmament, Mr Maskey insisted the provisional movement had clearly defined the terms under which it would take such steps.

"You can see that the IRA put out a very clear statement in which they produced first of all their own initiative," he said.

"They then set out very clear terms the context in which they would be able to move further in terms of this question of disarmament."

But he also hit out at the focus on IRA weapons while the current political vacuum has allowed loyalist paramilitaries to thrive.

Explaining that the ongoing loyalist violence would be raised at today’s meeting in Dublin, he added: "We are now living in a pogrom against the Catholic community in areas right across the north."

Mr Maskey also warned that any review of the Parade Commission, the body set up to rule on controversial marches in the province, must not be a "sap" to unionists.