31/01/2008
Paisley To Host Ahern In Ballymena
Another 'historic' cross-border meeting will take place on Friday when Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern holds political talks with NI First Minister Ian Paisley in his own 'backyard'.
The two leaders will meet in the DUP Leader's Ballymena constituency tomorrow.
The visit is to expected to be a further sign of good relations between the two figureheads - and their respective countries - since their famous handshake in Dublin last year.
“In Ballymena, Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley are expected to discuss political and economic developments in Northern Ireland and increasing cross-border co-operation with the Republic,” the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.
The two leaders will be seeing a lot of each other being due to meet again next week at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce where Dr Paisley has been invited as guest speaker at the organisation's annual general meeting.
The Dublin Chamber engagement is the latest visit to the Republic by the DUP leader since the Assembly was restored in Stormont last May.
The Taoiseach invited Mr Paisley to the historic Battle of the Boyne battle site in Co Louth last July where the DUP leader presented a 17th Century musket to Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern had previously given a 50th wedding anniversary present to Mr Paisley and his wife Eileen - a walnut bowl, crafted from a centuries-old tree taken from the battle site.
Last October Rev Paisley addressed the Trinity College Historical Society in Dublin and also attended a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators event in the Royal College of Physicians in the city in November.
(VB)(BMcC)
The two leaders will meet in the DUP Leader's Ballymena constituency tomorrow.
The visit is to expected to be a further sign of good relations between the two figureheads - and their respective countries - since their famous handshake in Dublin last year.
“In Ballymena, Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley are expected to discuss political and economic developments in Northern Ireland and increasing cross-border co-operation with the Republic,” the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.
The two leaders will be seeing a lot of each other being due to meet again next week at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce where Dr Paisley has been invited as guest speaker at the organisation's annual general meeting.
The Dublin Chamber engagement is the latest visit to the Republic by the DUP leader since the Assembly was restored in Stormont last May.
The Taoiseach invited Mr Paisley to the historic Battle of the Boyne battle site in Co Louth last July where the DUP leader presented a 17th Century musket to Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern had previously given a 50th wedding anniversary present to Mr Paisley and his wife Eileen - a walnut bowl, crafted from a centuries-old tree taken from the battle site.
Last October Rev Paisley addressed the Trinity College Historical Society in Dublin and also attended a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators event in the Royal College of Physicians in the city in November.
(VB)(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 April 2008
Irish Leaders' Boyne Farewell?
Northern Ireland's First Minister and the Republic's Taoiseach are in talks to meet at the site of the Battle of the Boyne Heritage Centre on Bertie Ahern's last day in office. The proposal is reportedly being discussed by the two administrations.
Irish Leaders' Boyne Farewell?
Northern Ireland's First Minister and the Republic's Taoiseach are in talks to meet at the site of the Battle of the Boyne Heritage Centre on Bertie Ahern's last day in office. The proposal is reportedly being discussed by the two administrations.
26 February 2008
Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
09 April 2003
Mixed response to Bush visit
There was a mixed response among Northern Ireland's political leaders yesterday following the visit of US President George Bush to the province. While Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble was among the pro-agreement leaders invited to meet the President during his two-day visit to the province, the DUP's Ian Paisley was not.
Mixed response to Bush visit
There was a mixed response among Northern Ireland's political leaders yesterday following the visit of US President George Bush to the province. While Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble was among the pro-agreement leaders invited to meet the President during his two-day visit to the province, the DUP's Ian Paisley was not.
19 January 2004
Paisley will not seek re-election as MEP
DUP leader Ian Paisley has announced that he is to step down as a member of the European Parliament this June. The poll-topping 77-year-old Euro MP has said that he will not seek re-election and will step down prior to this year's election. The DUP leader's decision will end his, occasionally controversial, 25-year stint as an MEP.
Paisley will not seek re-election as MEP
DUP leader Ian Paisley has announced that he is to step down as a member of the European Parliament this June. The poll-topping 77-year-old Euro MP has said that he will not seek re-election and will step down prior to this year's election. The DUP leader's decision will end his, occasionally controversial, 25-year stint as an MEP.
18 July 2018
Ian Paisley Faces Suspension From House Of Commons
DUP MP Ian Paisley faces a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons for breaching parliamentary rules. Mr Paisley failed to declare the details of two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government in 2013.
Ian Paisley Faces Suspension From House Of Commons
DUP MP Ian Paisley faces a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons for breaching parliamentary rules. Mr Paisley failed to declare the details of two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government in 2013.