PM and Irish Taioseach to discuss NI elections
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern today will discuss the possibility of elections at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and the Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble are expected to join the PM and Irish Taioseach at Downing Street.
Secretary of State Paul Murphy, Justice Minister Michael McDowell and the Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen are also due to attend.
The meeting comes after discussions between the UUP and Sinn Fein broke off over the weekend with no apparent breakthrough on the date for NI elections.
On Saturday, Mr Ahern said: “If you ask me if I am upbeat, I have to be honest and tell you no I am not – I am downbeat.”
The Nothern Ireland Assembly was suspended last October after it was alleged the IRA had infiltrated Stormont with an intelligence gathering unit.
Assembly elections were postponed in May but there is speculation a fresh poll will be held before Christmas.
November 13 has been mentioned as the most likely date for the elections.
Mr Ahern said ahead of today’s political gathering: “This will be a full summit to look at where we are.
“I think we have made a lot of progress, and it is timely that we should meet again to assess where we are.”
He added: “Naturally I welcome the engagement between Sinn Fein and the UUP, and I understand it is continuing. That has to be encouraging in itself.”
Separately, Richard Haas, US President George W Bush’s special representative on Ireland, is due to fly into Belfast today to speak with political and other leaders.
