Hain and Ahern to meet in Cardiff

The two men will be in Cardiff for the rugby game between Ireland and Wales.

Mr Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed to elections on 7 March but told political parties to adhere to the St Andrews Agreement timetable.

Mr Ahern said recent events, such as Sinn Fein's endorsement of policing, offered real hope for Northern Ireland.

"If the parties adhere to this agreement and timescale, the people of Northern Ireland can look forward to the restoration of shared government next month following the 7 March elections," he said in a statement.

"The elections are taking place on the basis that all parties understand and accept the ground rules - support for power-sharing, support for policing and a fixed deadline for the new executive to be in place on 26 March."

Mr Ahern said there was a "very great responsibility" on all the parties to rise to the challenges ahead.

"The people of Northern Ireland are entitled, after four years of suspension, to see their elected representatives working actively and openly for them in a fully restored assembly and shared government".