Some representatives of Northern Ireland's unionist community have met Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern in Dublin to discuss the decommissioning crisis.

Grand Master of the Protestant Orange Order Robert Saulters and the Ulster Unionist lord mayor of Belfast, Robert Stoker, are among a delegation who also met Irish President Mary McAleese at her official residence.

Mr Saulters is the first head of the Orange Order to meet a Taoiseach or an Irish President.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Mr Stoker said he was bringing a message from the grassroots of the unionist community, that there must be movement from republicans on the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

The arms issue is threatening to derail the newly formed political institutions in the province.

The Dublin meetings were being held as legislation to suspend the Northern Ireland assembly and its executive because of the paramilitary arms crisis, was making its passage through the House of Commons in London.

'Sense of urgency'

Mr Stoker said Mr Ahern would not be hearing anything different that he has heard in the last number of weeks.

"We will be pointing out to him that there is a real sense of urgency and that we do need movement," he said.

"I think the people, and the unionist people in particular, feel that they have given all that they can give."

Mr Stoker said that it would not be the fault of unionists if the assembly was suspended.

"The message that came out of the Mitchell review was that if unionists jumped first, republicans would follow and as yet republicans haven't followed."

'Hand of friendship'

He added that he welcomed the president's moves to honour a pledge she made when she was elected, that she would help to build bridges between communities.

"She has made herself available to us on very short notice and other people didn't, so I think that is a step in the right direction, that we can go to Dublin and meet and discuss issues of concern to all of us," he said.

He added that he would be representing all the people of Belfast and not just the unionist community.

"All the people of Belfast want to see peace. They want to see decommissioning. And they want to see Belfast moving on, so I will be representing all of the people," he said.

Mrs McAleese, who is originally from Belfast, spent 40 minutes meeting the Orange Order Grand Master on Tuesday morning.