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Adams prepares Sinn Fein address Adams prepares Sinn Fein address
(about 10 hours later)
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is to address his party's annual conference in Dublin later.Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is to address his party's annual conference in Dublin later.
He is expected to focus on the Irish Republic's economic and political woes.He is expected to focus on the Irish Republic's economic and political woes.
Mr Adams is also expected to call for cross-party support for a vote on the devolution of policing powers to Northern Ireland.
Debate at conference on Friday centred on whether the party should enter any coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail after the next general election.Debate at conference on Friday centred on whether the party should enter any coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail after the next general election.
Sinn Fein operates on an all-Ireland basis but its electoral success in Northern Ireland has not been mirrored in the Irish Republic. Sinn Fein operates on an all-Ireland basis but its electoral success in Northern Ireland has not been mirrored in the Republic of Ireland.
Last July, County Kerry-based Sinn Fein councillor Toireasa Ferris said the party "means nothing" to the bulk of voters in the Republic, who saw Sinn Fein as a northern-based party.Last July, County Kerry-based Sinn Fein councillor Toireasa Ferris said the party "means nothing" to the bulk of voters in the Republic, who saw Sinn Fein as a northern-based party.
Her comments followed a disappointing performance in elections which saw Sinn Fein vice-president Mary-Lou McDonald lose her seat in the European parliament.Her comments followed a disappointing performance in elections which saw Sinn Fein vice-president Mary-Lou McDonald lose her seat in the European parliament.
The agreement crucially maps out a future way of doing business on the basis of partnership and equality Martin McGuinnessThe agreement crucially maps out a future way of doing business on the basis of partnership and equality Martin McGuinness
The conference comes days ahead of a cross-community vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly on whether to accept the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.The conference comes days ahead of a cross-community vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly on whether to accept the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.
NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said Tuesday's vote would be "nothing less than a vote for the future of Northern Ireland".NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said Tuesday's vote would be "nothing less than a vote for the future of Northern Ireland".
The DUP and Sinn Fein have enough Assembly members to ensure the passage of the vote on the deal reached at Hillsborough last month.The DUP and Sinn Fein have enough Assembly members to ensure the passage of the vote on the deal reached at Hillsborough last month.
However, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has said his party is not in a position at this stage to back the transfer - a final decision is due on Monday.However, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has said his party is not in a position at this stage to back the transfer - a final decision is due on Monday.
Citing the Northern Ireland Executive's "dysfunctionality", he said on Friday it "must be capable of exercising its existing powers before such an important issue as policing and justice is devolved".Citing the Northern Ireland Executive's "dysfunctionality", he said on Friday it "must be capable of exercising its existing powers before such an important issue as policing and justice is devolved".
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accused Sir Reg of showing "a dismal failure of leadership".Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accused Sir Reg of showing "a dismal failure of leadership".
'Backbiting' claim'Backbiting' claim
Speaking at Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis on Friday, he said the junior partners in Stormont's power-sharing coalition, the UUP and nationalist SDLP, were seeking to play the role of opposition parties.Speaking at Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis on Friday, he said the junior partners in Stormont's power-sharing coalition, the UUP and nationalist SDLP, were seeking to play the role of opposition parties.
He said the Hillsborough agreement "crucially maps out a future way of doing business on the basis of partnership and equality.He said the Hillsborough agreement "crucially maps out a future way of doing business on the basis of partnership and equality.
"But it also represents a challenge - not just to us or the DUP - but to those who have spent recent years backbiting or in the case of the former leader of the SDLP, soundbiting from the sidelines - those who for too long have tried to ride two horses."But it also represents a challenge - not just to us or the DUP - but to those who have spent recent years backbiting or in the case of the former leader of the SDLP, soundbiting from the sidelines - those who for too long have tried to ride two horses.
"Let me say to the UUP it is impossible to sit round the power-sharing table by day and court rejectionist transfers by night."Let me say to the UUP it is impossible to sit round the power-sharing table by day and court rejectionist transfers by night.
"Or indeed, as the SDLP have tried to do, sit round the Executive table in Stormont Castle and then pretend to be in the opposition benches in the Assembly.""Or indeed, as the SDLP have tried to do, sit round the Executive table in Stormont Castle and then pretend to be in the opposition benches in the Assembly."
The Sinn Fein Ard Fheis is being streamed live on the BBC news website from 1130 GMT on Saturday, concluding with Gerry Adams's speech at 2030 GMT.The Sinn Fein Ard Fheis is being streamed live on the BBC news website from 1130 GMT on Saturday, concluding with Gerry Adams's speech at 2030 GMT.