The British Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses the Irish parliament today --the first British politician to do so since Ireland gained independence from Britain in 1922.

Mr Blair is expected to say that it's time to set aside the old enmities between the two countries.

He'll deliver an upbeat message about the Northern Ireland peace process, saying it has progressed too far to be allowed to founder.

He had talks with party leaders in Northern Ireland yesterday on the dispute over paramilitary weapons that threatens to undermine the multi-party agreement on the province's future.Mr Blair is also expected to call for more co-operation between London and Dublin on such issues as Europe.

Yesterday, the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern described Mr Blair as a true friend of Ireland.