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04/01/2006
Taoiseach to take part in Northern Ireland talks
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has today announced that he is to hold talks with the country's Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern on the future of the Northern Ireland political process.
The Irish Foreign Minister said there would be "a lot of activity" in relation to the political process in the near future.
"We have to prepare the ground. We are up for this and we just hope the political parties in the north are up for it as well," he said.
He also spoke of the importance of the impending IMC report on paramilitary activity in terms of "proving beyond all doubt that the IRA has gone."
Mr Dermot Ahern said that he was aware that Secretary of State, Peter Hain would be meeting Prime Minister Tony Blair this week and he hoped that they would be working together to make progress by the end of the year.
Yesterday, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams released a statement saying that politicians must make a genuine effort to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2006.
Mr Adams said there were major challenges ahead - particularly for the government and unionists.
"Sinn Fein is determined that the opportunities presented by the IRA initiative are not squandered. There still are major challenges ahead particularly for both the British government and the unionist parties.
“The process has been allowed to be stalled for too long and the time for movement has now come.”
However, in response to Mr Adams statement, DUP MP Iris Robinson said there would be no return to the failed structures of the past.
"The structures of the Belfast Agreement did not provide good government for the people of Northern Ireland," she said.
(EF/SP)
The Irish Foreign Minister said there would be "a lot of activity" in relation to the political process in the near future.
"We have to prepare the ground. We are up for this and we just hope the political parties in the north are up for it as well," he said.
He also spoke of the importance of the impending IMC report on paramilitary activity in terms of "proving beyond all doubt that the IRA has gone."
Mr Dermot Ahern said that he was aware that Secretary of State, Peter Hain would be meeting Prime Minister Tony Blair this week and he hoped that they would be working together to make progress by the end of the year.
Yesterday, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams released a statement saying that politicians must make a genuine effort to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2006.
Mr Adams said there were major challenges ahead - particularly for the government and unionists.
"Sinn Fein is determined that the opportunities presented by the IRA initiative are not squandered. There still are major challenges ahead particularly for both the British government and the unionist parties.
“The process has been allowed to be stalled for too long and the time for movement has now come.”
However, in response to Mr Adams statement, DUP MP Iris Robinson said there would be no return to the failed structures of the past.
"The structures of the Belfast Agreement did not provide good government for the people of Northern Ireland," she said.
(EF/SP)
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Blair and Ahern discuss Northern Ireland peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in London to discuss political progress in Northern Ireland. The lunchtime discussion at Downing Street on Monday February 18 focussed on issues such as demilitarisation, decommissioning and the recent work of the Policing Board.
26 April 2019
New Political Talks Process Confirmed
Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have announced that new talks, aimed at restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland, will get underway "as soon as possible" after the local elections next week, Thursday 02 May.
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23 October 2001
Trimble accepts commencement of IRA decommissioning
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19 September 2001
Blair and Ahern upbeat about peace process
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15 January 2019
NI Parties Meet To Address Ongoing Political Impasse
Northern Ireland's political parties have met to discuss the ongoing political impasse, over two years since the institutions at Stormont collapsed. Alliance leader Naomi Long called for the meeting on Monday 14 January, and reiterated her request for an independent chair to oversee the new talks process.
NI Parties Meet To Address Ongoing Political Impasse
Northern Ireland's political parties have met to discuss the ongoing political impasse, over two years since the institutions at Stormont collapsed. Alliance leader Naomi Long called for the meeting on Monday 14 January, and reiterated her request for an independent chair to oversee the new talks process.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:All parts will have a dry and rather cloudy day. Chance of some brighter spells breaking through across the east at times. Brisk southwesterly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain mainly dry with a good deal of cloud. A little rain reaching the far west later. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
