Mark Durkan

Representatives from Northern Ireland's main political parties have visited Washington for the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.

President Bush met with Irish premier Bertie Ahern, after a special reception at which the traditional handing over of the Shamrock took place.

It came as unionists continue demands for sanctions to be placed against Sinn Fein amid allegations of IRA activity.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has claimed the party is under pressure from the White House to move against illegal IRA activity and to sign up to the policing agreement.

The claim has been denied by Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness.

Sinn Fein took out a $25,000 advertisement in the New York Times to insist that the new Police Service of Northern Ireland, which replaced the Royal Ulster Constabulary, is flawed.

Speaking in the United States, SDLP leader Mark Durkan reported that the Bush administration wanted movement against paramilitarism, arguing that Americans were "fed up and let down" by the failure of unionists to let the Good Friday Agreement work.

"It is not surprising, then, that the focus of this St Patrick's Day has been on the bit of the agreement that is working - the policing arrangements," he said.

"Despite the DUP trying to wreck policing and Sinn Fein trying to duck it, the SDLP is getting in there and delivering the Patten reforms."

Talks will be held next week between Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair, during which they will discuss the ongoing review of the peace process.