Republicans stand firm on Good Friday Agreement

Republicans will reject proposals to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland if they fall short of the Good Friday Agreement, the British and Irish Governments were warned tonight.

As British and Irish officials worked on proposals aimed at resolving a row over future power-sharing arrangements in the province, Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said a comprehensive deal, which would involve a groundbreaking IRA statement on its future, was only possible within the terms of the Agreement.