PMs 'consider' Stormont talks

Mr Ahern and Mr Blair will consider direct involvment in the talks

The British and Irish prime ministers will decide later this week whether to become directly involved in talks to restore the Northern Ireland Executive.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy, who co-hosted talks at Stormont with the Irish Government on Wednesday, said there has been constructive engagement as the Good Friday Agreement review continued.

The political parties met with Mr Murphy and the Irish Republic's Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, to discuss North-South issues.

Mr Murphy said the government would publish a summary of the review to date next Monday.

It is believed Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will only become directly involved later in the month if they believe a deal is possible.

The Stormont government has been suspended since 2002

Meanwhile, an Ulster Unionist MP has said the cost of maintaining the assembly since its suspension in October 2002 currently stands at more than £36m.

The figure was contained in a written reply from Mr Murphy to a question from North Down MP Sylvia Hermon.

"Paul Murphy has confirmed that maintaining the assembly since its suspension has cost taxpayers a shocking £36.6m," she said.

"For the past 20 months the doors of Northern Ireland's Assembly have remained closed, but the taxpayer is still expected to pick up the tab."

The review of the Agreement, aimed at kick-starting the political process in Northern Ireland, resumed on Tuesday following the European election.

The DUP's Jim Allister topped the poll, with Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brun and Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson also elected.

The review has been overshadowed by concerns over the issue of continuing paramilitary activity, with the Ulster Unionist Party having continued its boycott of the talks.

The party met Mr Murphy on Tuesday, with negotiator Michael McGimpsey predicting afterwards that the DUP and Sinn Fein would reach a deal over restoring devolution in the autumn.

Mr McGimpsey said both parties would come under great pressure from the British and Irish Governments to reach agreement before the anniversary of last November's assembly elections.

He insisted his party was not formally participating in the review, even though they held discussions with the government on the latest political developments.

'Constructive'

The DUP described its Tuesday meeting with Mr Murphy as "constructive," adding that "a forthright exchange of views" had taken place.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said his party wanted a comprehensive deal and was ready to make progress immediately.

However, SDLP leader Mark Durkan expressed scepticism about the chances of any real progress being made in the next few weeks.

Government sources said Tuesday's discussions covered topics such as devolved ministers' level of accountability to the assembly.

British and Irish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern are due to meet at a European summit later this week.

Official sources said they would make a decision then about whether to hold discussions with the local parties next week.

The review of the Agreement was suspended due to the European election, although contacts have continued at official level with all of the parties.