PMs discuss NI peace process

PMs Blair and Ahern travelled to Balkan summit together

The British and Irish prime ministers have had a two-hour discussion on the current problems in the Northern Ireland peace process.

The Sinn Fein's Education Minister Martin McGuinness and Health Minister Bairbre de Brun have begun a legal challenge over a decision not to allow them to attend meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council.

The Northern Ireland First Minister, David Trimble, introduced the ban in October as part of a package of measures to force the IRA to re-engage with the arms decommissioning body.

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern travelled on the same plane to the Croatian capital, Zagreb, on Thursday night for a summit meeting of European and Western leaders on the Balkans.

A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "It was very much a stock-taking exercise."

Mary Harney: Regrets sanctions imposed by Mr Trimble

"They both recognise there are difficulties and that this is a testing time.

"Both prime ministers are fully committed on finding a way through as they have done together in the past."

Meanwhile, a second senior Irish government minister has sharply criticised Ulster Unionist sanctions against Sinn Fein ministers.

Tanaiste Mary Harney said David Trimble's refusal to authorise the attendance at cross-border meetings of Sinn Fein was incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement.

Ms Harney's criticism follows Irish foreign minister Brian Cowen's strongly worded attack on the sanctions earlier on Thursday.

Speaking in Londonderry, Ms Harney said it was also her view no one could be involved in the process if they were not totally committed to peaceful and democratic politics.

"We've got to move forward on the basis of agreement and understanding those political sensitivities and political imperatives but that those not mean that anyone has the right to put aspects of the agreement aside.

Minister for foreign affairs Brian Cowen had earlier described sanctions barring Sinn Fein ministers from attending cross border meetings as "disappointing and misconceived".

Bairbre de Brun is taking legal action

Mr Cowen said he shared the aim of putting all weapons beyond use but did not believe this would be achieved through the latest tactic.

Earlier this month, a meeting between Bairbre de Brun and her Republic of Ireland counterpart, Micheal Martin, went ahead without Mr Trimble's authorisation.

It was termed a bi-lateral meeting and was described by unionists as a face-saving exercise.

A NSMC meeting between Mr McGuinness and Irish education minister Michael Woods was due to go ahead on Friday but has been cancelled.

The NSMC is one of the political structures set up under the Good Friday Agreement and is particularly important to nationalists.

The council and six cross-border bodies are aimed at promoting co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on areas of common concern.