Blair and Ahern review NI process

Restarting NI devolution was prime objective

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern have met to consider the way forward following the return of Northern Ireland devolution.

The informal meeting between the British and Irish prime ministers was held over dinner at Downing Street.

At the meeting both the leaders took stock of the current situation following the re-establishment of Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive last week.

It followed a meeting between Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson and Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.

Controversial issues

The first meetings of the assembly executive have already been fraught with division over the flying of flags.

And the two premiers are believed to have discussed the continuing controversy over the implementation of the Patten proposals on the future of policing.

The British government is under pressure to amend the Police (NI) Bill, currently being considered at Westminster, from both nationalists and unionists.

Nationalists and republicans feel the Bill does not go far enough towards reforming the Royal Ulster Constabulary, while unionists feel proposals to change the name and emblem of the RUC go too far.

Mr Blair and Mr Ahern are also believed to have dicussed whether the British-Irish Council meeting, due to be held in Dublin in June, will go ahead or be postponed until the Autumn.