Crisis talks to rescue NI peace process

David Trimble with the three resigning ministers

The UK and Irish governments are to discuss their next move in the bid to save the Northern Ireland peace process following the resignation of five Unionist ministers.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid will meet Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen in Dublin on Friday.

The Ulster Unionist and Democratic Unionist ministers withdrew from the Assembly on Thursday.

The latest crisis in the Northern Ireland political process has been brought about by the absence of decommissioning of IRA arms.

The resignations went ahead despite widespread speculation that the IRA was considering a move over the arms issue.

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The withdrawal of UUP and DUP ministers could again lead to the suspension of the province's power-sharing executive.

The UK Government must decide within a week if power-sharing should be suspended in order to work on a resolution to the current crisis.

Alternatively, the process for electing replacement ministers could be activated in seven days if ministers are not reappointed by the UUP leader.

Gerry Adams: Held private meeting with Unionist leader

A Stormont source said: "The British may use the seven days between the resignations and the Assembly nomination of new ministers to still work towards trying to achieve IRA decommissioning.

"We effectively have a week to resolve this but if the move on IRA arms does not come, then they will face the uncomfortable decision on whether to suspend or not."

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble announced the resignation of ministers Reg Empey, Sam Foster and Michael McGimpsey on Thursday.

He said it was now "over to the secretary of state".

"We take this decision with no pleasure - it has been a long time in coming. Ever since the IRA failed to keep its promise to put its weapons beyond use this problem became inevitable."

'No negotiations'

Mr Trimble earlier held a round of meetings with the province's other main parties amid intense speculation a deal was being constructed to save Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.

However, the UUP leader said there were no negotiations taking place.

He has said his party would no longer sit in government with Sinn Fein while the IRA refused to begin decommissioning its arms.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said the resignations were disappointing.

"They are undoubtedly a setback in our efforts to achieve full implementation of the Agreement," he said.

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said the move was both "unfortunate and unhelpful" given the intensive talks which he said were still continuing in the background.

The decommissioning of arms remains a key stumbling block

The Speaker of the Assembly, John Alderdice, confirmed he had received a letter from Mr Trimble in his role as UUP nominating officer, informing him of the "dismissal" of the party's three ministers.

Dr Alderdice said DUP leader Ian Paisley had also dismissed the party's two ministers.

Mr Trimble held a private meeting with Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams at parliament buildings on Thursday morning.

The meeting was held after republican sources strongly hinted on Wednesday that a deal on IRA weapons decommissioning was possible, as long as the Ulster Unionists showed commitment to powersharing.

Mr Trimble also met the nationalist SDLP leader elect, Mark Durkan, who is Northern Ireland finance minister.

Window of opportunity

Following Mr Trimble's announcement, Mr Durkan said: "I would hope that the secretary of state doesn't do anything impulsive or bring about any reflex suspension in response to the announcements we have made."

The Democratic Unionist Party confirmed the resignations of its two ministers, Maurice Morrow and Gregory Campbell.

There is a short window of opportunity after the resignations where the power-sharing arrangement could be pulled back from collapse if the parties agreed a last minute settlement.

Ulster Unionist sources have indicated that ministers could be re-appointed if "verifiable decommissioning" happened after their withdrawal.

It is expected, however, that Dr Reid would reintroduce direct rule before the assembly collapsed.

If devolution is suspended for an unlimited period, it is likely the government will start a review of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, on which devolution is based.

The latest crisis in the peace process was precipitated by Mr Trimble's resignation as first minister in July, a move designed to put pressure on the republican movement.