Ivan Little reports for UTV Live on the mass resignation of Sinn Fein members in County Louth in the Republic of Ireland. The members have resigned in opposition to the signing of the Mitchell Principles by the party leadership, who have denounced violence in order to gain entry to the peace talks. Rory Duggan speaks over the phone to voice his opinion that the Principles are being used to smash the republican movement. Mitchell McLaughlin is interviewed for the piece disagreeing with this view, while David Trimble voices suspicion towards the IRA, believing they are using it as a bargaining chip by suggesting the movement is split.

Mo Mowlam, however, feels that it won't affect the ongoing talks and notes that no one ever said it would be easy, and that it has taken courage for all those involved to be where they were. Nevertheless, it serves as another reminder that not all of the republican movement is engaged in the chosen path of non-violence, adding to pressures on the talks process.

An Ulster Television Production.