Sinn Féin has confirmed it will hold a series of public meetings in the build-up to this month's ardfheis on whether it should support the police in the North.
A total of 2,000 Sinn Féin members are preparing for the special policing conference in Dublin on January 28th, where senior leadership figures will face rank-and file republicans in an attempt to secure the endorsement of the PSNI by their party.
Members will get the first chance to debate the issue on Saturday at public meetings in Toome, Co Antrim, and Galbally, Co Tyrone, on Saturday, according to chairwoman Mary Lou McDonald.
That will be followed by debates in Newcastle on Sunday, Newry on Monday, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan on Tuesday, west Belfast on Wednesday and Derry on Thursday. Another public meeting is also being planned in north Armagh.
Ms McDonald said the debates were part of a wider consultation process that would see Sinn Féin consult the relatives of IRA members killed during the conflict and the families of victims of British security force violence and alleged collusion.
"These meetings will provide an opportunity for ordinary members of the public to come along and engage in this crucial debate," the Dublin MEP said. "Members of the party leadership and local area representatives will take part in all of the public meetings.
"Ending political and partisan policing and establishing a democratically accountable policing service in the North is a massive challenge for all nationalists and republicans. However achieving such an outcome would be a massive advance.
"We now believe that engaging in this consultation and debate and holding a special ardfheis is the necessary next step," she said.
A motion approved by the party executive last Saturday will go before Sinn Féin members on January 28th suggesting the party should support the PSNI as well as the gardaí.
Republican endorsement of the PSNI is crucial to hopes of a devolved government being in place in Stormont by the March 26th deadline set by the British and Irish governments in St Andrew's, Scotland, in October last year.
Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley said yesterday that if that deadline was not met it would be Sinn Féin who are to blame.
His comments were broadly welcomed by both governments who saw them as an indication that DUP would co-operate if the republicans could be convinced to back the PSNI.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair today said there is "no reason" devolved government can not return to Northern Ireland if the DUP and Sinn Féin adhere to their commitments.
"Sinn Féin has got to deliver, the DUP has got to deliver, everyone has got to deliver on their commitments," Mr Blair said.
He hailed Sinn Féin's "most historic" move to hold a special conference on endorsing policing.