Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis begins today

The annual Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis will kick off in Killarney tonight for the 69th year. Five thousand delegates will attend the conference in the next two days.

It is expected that a number of groups will stage protests outside the venue over certain controversial Government policies.

In particular, angry fishermen are expected to protest at plans to change the drift-net salmon-fishing policy in northern seas.

An Post staff may also protest because they say that agreements for wage rises have not been honoured.

The Taoiseach will give his key-note address today. It is expected he will concentrate on IRA decommissioning.