SF set date for policing talks

Sinn Féin’s national executive will meet on Saturday to discuss support for policing in the North.

After a meeting of senior party members in Dublin today, chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said the Ard Comhairle would hold talks at the weekend.

But he also revealed his party was deeply concerned at comments by Democratic Unionist leader Reverend Ian Paisley in relation to British prime minister Tony Blair’s assessment of the peace process.

“I think the DUP needs to reflect because if they are now ruling out power sharing by March 26 this year, and transferring powers on policing and justice by 2008 that is very serious by any standards,” Mr McGuinness said.