Following raised hopes and expectations for the future of the political process and the restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, with the conclusion of talks at St Andrews in Scotland last week, confusion and disappointment were the order of the day as DUP leader Ian Paisley refused to attend a Programme for Government Committee at Sormont on Tuesday. The meeting would have seen Paisley and other DUP leadership figures dealing directly with a Sinn Féin delegation led by Party President Gerry Adams. Free article

Over 100 Shell to Sea campaigners took part in another protest march near the Corrib Gas terminal on Tuesday last. Free article

When it came to the attention of Meath Sinn Féin Councillor Joe Reilly that the Pathology Department of Our Lady's Hospital Navan was outsourcing blood-testing work to private companies, he put a question to the Health Services Executive asking about the costs involved. Free article

Ógra Shinn Féin last weekend claimed back Omagh British Army base by erecting an Irish national flag at its front entrance. The action was part of a demilitarisation protest held at the base during the Ógra Shinn Féin National Demilitarisation Weekend, which took place in the Omagh area. Free article

In an historic move, last Thursday 12 October, Sinn Féin and the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) held a joint press conference in Derry City. Free article

Preparations are continuing as Sinn Féin builds for a major health rally this Saturday in Dublin. Leaflets have been distributed and posters erected all over the 26 Counties and there have been a number of local meetings and launches of Sinn Féin healthcare policy as activists mobilise to bring supporters and campaigners to Dublin to partake in the rally entitled Health for All. Free article

Against a backdrop of glorious Autumn sunshine over 600 republicans marched from the Short Strand in East Belfast to the Markets in South Belfast on Sunday, 15 October to remember IRA Volunteers Joey Surgenor, Paul Marlowe and Francie Fitzsimmons who died on active service on 16 October 1976. Free article