At a Sinn Féin Ard Fheis (conference) in Dublin there are tumultuous scenes as a notorious set of IRA prisoners known as the Balcombe Street Gang are given a short-term release by the Irish government to attend the event. Seen as a gesture of goodwill, the event is popular in republican circles but attracts much adverse reaction elsewhere due to the perceived level of triumphalism on display. However, there are differences of opinion on display from delegates regarding accepting the peace process.

Despite this the motion to accept the Good Friday Agreement and to end the Sinn Féin position of abstentionism, which saw the party previously refuse to take up any seats in the UK which they had won, is passed. This is a huge development in that any new Assembly will now see involvement from Sinn Féin and an acceptance that the Assembly is a legitimate government for Northern Ireland.

An Ulster Television Production.