The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is to release his response to criticisms of him and the RUC's Omagh bomb investigation on January 24th. Sir Ronnie Flanagan is to answer the damning report by Ms Nuala O'Loan, the Police Ombudsman, and address members of the families of the 29 who died in the town in August 1998.
Members of the Policing Board have asked for copies of his response in advance of this.
Ms O'Loan's scathing report last month said Sir Ronnie's judgment was flawed and that the RUC had intelligence about a planned attack on the Co Tyrone town 11 days before the "Real IRA" bombing. He has said the report contained factual errors.
A spokeswoman for the Policing Board told The Irish Times last night that members had requested copies of Sir Ronnie's response in advance of his meeting with Omagh relatives. He is not expected to make a formal presentation of his report to the board that day.
The board met in Belfast yesterday in private session, the first since Ms O'Loan's report became public. In a statement, members said they were determined to tackle all issues arising out of the report and the reply by the Chief Constable.
The board chairman, Prof Desmond Rea, said: "We are conscious of the sensitivities regarding this matter but our discussions are constructive and aimed at resolving the issue. It remains our task to ensure that policing is fully accountable and transparent.
"From (the) meeting it is clear that this board is totally committed to that task, but we also remain fully aware of the major sensitivities of the report and will give it full and proper consideration."
Mr Sammy Wilson, a DUP member of the board, said he welcomed the board's decision "to listen to an explanation from the Chief Constable on the Ombudsman's report into the Omagh bomb and then question Nuala O'Loan about the report."
The SDLP members said the meeting confirmed the board was getting to grips with the report.
Mr Joe Byrne, an Assembly member for the Omagh area, said: "The unanimous agreement from the board that the Chief Constable would be advised to present his reply to the Policing Board prior to wider distribution, was a clear and compelling signal of the board's determination to respond vigorously to the report."
He added that Sir Ronnie should respond quickly to the report which he has had for seven weeks.
Another board member, Mr Eddie McGrady, said the board had agreed to meetings with the Omagh families, the ombudsman and the Chief Constable.
"The unanimous agreement to these three meetings to listen and talk with the relevant parties and the issues identified in the report is confirmation that the board is being inclusive and clear sighted in its response to the ombudsman's report."
Mr Alex Attwood added: "It is becoming clear that the six recommendations of the ombudsman's report are the basis to build confidence in the Omagh murder investigation and in the future of policing."
The chairman of the Omagh victims group said the meeting with Sir Ronnie would be difficult and emotional. Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son died in the blast, said it was important to listen to Sir Ronnie without prejudging him.
"We have heard from Nuala O'Loan, now it is important that we listen and respect what Sir Ronnie has to say."