UP TO 800 delegates are expected to take part in the Sinn Fein Ardfheis due to be held in the Ambassador Cinema, Dublin, this weekend.
According to the official clar, or programme, published yesterday, no motions dealing with the IRA ceasefire have been tabled but a number of emergency proposals are expected to be put down by the party's ardchomhairle in connection with British government plans for Northern elections.
Sinn Fein also published a discussion document on policing yesterday, in which it calls for the immediate disarming of the RUC "pending an agreed and orderly disbandment" A policy document for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality was also released.
Meanwhile, the ardfheis, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, will hear support for the way the Sinn Fein leadership has handled the peace process. Significantly, while a motion from the H Block Cumann backs the leadership, it also urges it "to keep the grass roots informed by way of local meetings and conferences".
Other motions condemn the British government's approach and call on the unionist leadership to lead its communities into negotiations. While the Government's strategy is not mentioned it is criticised for not releasing "all political prisoners despite the peace process". A motion from a Belfast based cumann "puts on the record" its opposition to what it terms "the cynical use of political hostages by the Dublin government at Christmas".
The issue of prisoners seems set to dominate much of the debate and there are calls for the repatriation of republican prisoners in British and US jails. A motion from a Cork cumann says it recognises the very great and Justifiable anger of republicans and nationalists at attempts by the 26 county state to extradite Nessan Quinlivan and Pearse McAuley. Both men escaped from prison in Britain and were later recaptured in Ireland.
As anticipated, calls for the disbandment of the RUC are also certain as well as the complete withdrawal of the British army. But, a motion has also been tabled criticising gardai for "their continued harassment of republicans".
On other issues, a motion has been tabled by women prisoners in Maghaberry prison, Co Antrim, calling on the ardfheis to accept the right to choose abortion.
Sinn Fein's general secretary, Ms Lucilita Bhreathnach, said yesterday that "despair and frustration" had grown since the last ardfheis which was held in an atmosphere of "great hope". However, Sinn Fein remained committed to the peace strategy, she added.