PMs discuss NI political process

The premiers have been taking stock of the political process

The British and Irish prime ministers have been discussing the current political impasse in Northern Ireland at a meeting in Downing Street.

Mr Ahern left the meeting without speaking to reporters, but he is expected to comment later on Thursday.

The governments said the talks were to give Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern a chance to take stock of the situation.

They came as Sinn Fein and the IRA are being blamed by the governments and other parties for the current deadlock.

But no new talks initiatives to try to restore devolution are anticipated ahead of the next general election.

Mr Ahern's visit to Downing Street is part of a round of engagements he is undertaking in London on Thursday.

'Criminal activity'

Before the 45-minute meeting in Downing Street, the taoiseach attended the Ireland Fund of Great Britain lunch in the Banqueting House in Whitehall.

Sinn Fein is facing sanctions over allegations that the IRA was behind a £26.5m robbery at the Northern Bank in Belfast in December. The IRA has denied it.

The party could face penalties of more than £500,000 a year because of the claims.

Last week, Mr Blair said Sinn Fein could not be part of the government of Northern Ireland unless the IRA gave up paramilitary and criminal activity.

He said the refusal of the IRA to give up such activity was the reason for the current political stalemate.

Meanwhile, it is thought that the White House is likely to break with tradition and not invite the political parties to its annual St Patrick's Day celebrations, rather than exclude Sinn Fein because of the Northern Bank allegations.

Secretary of State Paul Murphy said: "I don't know whether the United States government has actually put out any decision with regard to this matter.

"I certainly will be in the United States that (St Patrick's) week. I am going to New York and to Washington. But of course, whatever happens in terms of parties in the White House, of course that is a matter for the American government."