Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams

Stricter gun controls similar to those imposed after the Dunblane tragedy should be introduced in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein has argued.

In 1997 the government steered a total ban on handguns through parliament following a campaign by the families of the 16 children and one teacher, who were killed when Thomas Hamilton opened fire in the village primary school.

In its agenda for the review of the Good Friday agreement, which begins on February 3, Sinn Fein argued that "the proliferation of legally-held arms needs also to be addressed through the introduction of Dunblane-style controls in the north of Ireland".

Republicans estimate that there are 40,000 legally-held handguns and 133,000 legally-held other weapons in the province.

So far, the IRA has completed three acts of decommissioning, the most recent of which was described by observer General John de Chastelain as their most substantial.

However, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble refused to reactivate the peace process after the general was unable to provide details of what was surrendered.

Sinn Fein demands

In addition to stricter gun controls, Sinn Fein has called for a re-endorsement of the Good Friday agreement by all participants, while efforts should be made to address the suffering of victims of the conflict.

The International Monitoring Commission, which scrutinises ceasefires and whether parties and governments are honouring their roles in the agreement, should be scrapped, argued the party, and legislation enabling Westminster to suspend the Stormont assembly should be repealed.

Other demands include the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Northern Ireland, the publication and implementation of Judge Peter Cory's reports into the killings of Pat Finucane and Roseanne Mallon, and full implementation of the Patten recommendations on policing.

"The purpose of the review is to identify how best to deliver the full implementation of the agreement. This requires a focus on the failure of the British government to deliver on key commitments on policing, demilitarisation, equality and the issue of human rights," said Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.

"Sinn Fein will approach this review positively. The other pro-agreement parties and the two governments must also take a positive and constructive approach. The future of the Good Friday Agreement demands this.

"The Good Friday Agreement committed the participants to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance and trust and the vindication of the human rights of all. We collectively committed ourselves to partnership, equality and mutual respect.

"To be effective the review must defend and accelerate the process of change promised in the Good Friday Agreement"