Blair and Ahern in NI talks

Blair and Ahern in NI talks

Mr Ahern and Mr Blair met on fringes of EU summit

The British and Irish prime ministers have held a meeting in Greece to discuss the deadlock in the Northern Ireland political process.

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern met for 30 minutes on Wednesday morning on the margins of the European Union summit in Athens.

Officials from both governments are continuing to hold discussions and contact is ongoing with the Northern Ireland political parties.

They are discussing the clarification of an IRA statement on its future intentions.

The two governments postoned the publication of their blueprint to fully implement the Good Friday Agreement and restore devolution until they received the clarification.

A spokesman for Mr Blair refused to give details of the Athen talks and said they were part of the political process.

"It was an opportunity to exchange views again on the continuing process," he said.

An Irish Government spokesman said it was decided both governments would continue their contact with the pro-Agreement parties and keep in contact during the day.

The elections have to go ahead on 29 May otherwise credibility in the peace process will be lost

Mark Durkan
SDLP leader

Meanwhile, Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he was optimistic there would be a breakthrough in the process within seven days.

The government received clarification of a number of its questions over the IRA statement on Monday night.

Mr Ahern said on Tuesday that the exchanges were now down to a few very important issues.

He insisted the governments were not involved in a row or conflict with republicans, but were trying to be absolutely clear about their intentions.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the governments were right to ask for answers from the IRA in order to restore devolution.

Speaking in Dublin, Mr Durkan insisted elections had to go ahead on 29 May otherwise credibility in the peace process would be lost.

Sinn Fein has repeated its call for the two governments to publish their framework document aimed at restoring devolution.

It is believed the three questions put to the IRA on Monday concern whether its campaign will be brought to a complete and final closure, whether it will cease all its activities and whether it will put all its arms beyond use.

Postponed

Mr Blair and Mr Ahern must now decide whether enough progress has been made to allow them to publish their proposals aimed at restoring devolution.

Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration was suspended on 14 October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the heart of the Stormont government.

EU leaders are meeting in Athens

The British and Irish Governments felt the IRA had not made its intentions clear enough regarding the decommissioning of its weapons, and its long-term commitment to peace.

The two prime ministers had planned to unveil their proposals in Northern Ireland last Thursday, but the visit was postponed at the last minute.

It is understood Downing Street was unhappy with the wording of an earlier draft response from the IRA.