Blair and Ahern discuss NI impasse in Athens

The British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach have set aside time from their EU schedule for talks on the stalled Northern Ireland peace process.

The leaders met to discuss the situation regarding the current impasse while attending an EU summit in Athens.

However their plans for an agreement have been dealt a major blow after Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble claimed the IRA's statement on its future intent over the political process had fallen a long way short of what was required.

He said the governments needed to come up with some fresh ideas about how to proceed and that some serious thinking was required.

But Sinn Fein's North Belfast MLA, Gerry Kelly said unionist's must not be allowed to frustrate the current process. Responding to Mr Trimble's comments, he said: "David Trimble's focus is on dictating terms rather than on making this process work.

"Too often in the past the British government has allowed unionism to determine the pace of change. This is not acceptable."

While the joint declaration on a blueprint for future progress in fully implementing the Good Friday Agreement was postponed since last Thursday, the two Governments and the pro-Agreement political parties in Northern Ireland have been attempting to hammer out a broadly acceptable resolution that will enable restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland.

The sticking point continues to be the clarification sought from the IRA over their initial statements and two further ones released this week.

The two governments have remained tight lipped as behind the scenes negotiations continue in a bid to get the peace process back on track. A spokesperson would only say that there had been an “opportunity to exchange views” and that contact between the governments would continue.

It is understood that the governments are seeking clarification on the IRA’s intentions regarding an ending of activities and completing decommissioning.

Assembly elections are set for the end of May, but former First Minister Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has indicated that time is running out as the search for agreement continues.

Former Deputy First Minister SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the governments were right to seek answers from the IRA, but warned that if elections did not take place on May 29 then the peace process would lose credibility.

Earlier this week Sinn Féin repeated their call for the blueprint document to be published.

(SP/MB)