The Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle to recommend a yes vote on the Stormont Good Friday Agreement.
The Sinn Féin leadership is recommending a yes vote on both sides of the border in the forthcoming referendum on the Good Friday Agreement which will take place on 22 May.
The Sinn Féin resolution on the agreement was leaked to the media before being communicated to the party membership causing some embarrassment for the party.
It follows reports yesterday that a special meeting of the IRA Army Council last weekend had given its blessing for members of Sinn Féin to take their seats in the new Northern Assembly.
The special Ard Fheis reconvenes next Sunday and will have two resolutions from the party executive. Firstly, calling for a yes vote in the two polls on both sides of the border. For this to pass it will require a majority of delegates. Secondly, there is the resolution dealing with a change to the party constitution which will allow members to take their seats in a new Northern Assembly. This resolution will require a two thirds majority.
At a news conference in Dublin, Archbishop Robin Eames welcomed the latest moves by the Republican movement.
We are on the verge of what could be a totally new era for Ireland.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 6 May 1998. The reporter is Charlie Bird.
