In a year or 18-month Sinn Féin could well find itself in government in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.

Michel Orniel is already Stormont's First Minister in waiting,

and in the Republic the polls consistently suggest that Mary Lou MacDonald leads the party

that's likely to win the biggest number of seats in the dole,

though whether or not she'd find a willing coalition partner to make her t-shock

is something we'll look at in some detail in this edition of Red Lines. And there are other

issues of concern for Sinn Féin. What precisely its position is on the unfolding events in the Middle East

is one, how the parties managed north and south is another, as is its potential

vulnerability on its support for the IRA's campaign of violence during the troubles.

So in the week of the party's annual Ardesh, which is taking place in Athlone this year,

that's what we're discussing in this programme, with three people well qualified to bring

their perspectives to the table.

Elaine Lachlan is political editor of the Irish Examiner newspaper.

Newton Emerson is a columnist for the Irish News, Irish Times and Sunday Times,

and Brian Feeney is a columnist for the Irish News.

And he's also a leading light in the Ireland's future organisation.

So welcome to Red Lines.

Brian, let's just start with some of the challenges facing Shane Fane here in Northern Ireland. How much do you imagine the very particular politics

of this place are likely to feature in this weekend's speeches and conversations in Athlone?

Well, I don't think it will be a major issue. I think it will certainly be

mentioned and Michel O'Neill will be demanding that the DUP go back into Stormand and play

the role they're supposed to and what they were elected to do and so on. But the emphasis will, I think,

...