This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/5347688.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Blair and Ahern review NI efforts Blair and Ahern review NI efforts
(about 19 hours later)
Tony Blair is to meet Bertie Ahern at his country home at Chequers to review attempts to restore devolution to NI. Tony Blair has met Bertie Ahern at his country home at Chequers to review attempts to restore devolution to NI.
The two prime ministers are expected to finalise their plans for next month's intensive talks, planned to take place in St Andrews in Scotland. The two prime ministers were meeting to finalise their plans for next month's intensive talks, planned to take place in St Andrews in Scotland.
DUP leader Ian Paisley made it clear to Mr Blair earlier this week he does not want to go there and does not believe the 24 November deadline will be met.DUP leader Ian Paisley made it clear to Mr Blair earlier this week he does not want to go there and does not believe the 24 November deadline will be met.
If opposition grows among the parties the talks could face more difficulties.If opposition grows among the parties the talks could face more difficulties.
However, the latest indications are that officials are still pressing ahead with arrangements for the Scottish talks.However, the latest indications are that officials are still pressing ahead with arrangements for the Scottish talks.
There aren't too many places in the world during history where people elected with the mandate and responsibility to govern would walk away from that Bertie Ahern Speaking afterwards on Friday, Mr Ahern said the 90-minute talks were helpful and timely.
"We were working out how we will use the period ahead - that will include engagement with the parties, including some intensive engagement with them which will be finalised in the next few days," he said.
Mr Ahern said they would like to see direct engagement between the parties.
"A lot of the barriers and the issues that divided us in 2004 have been removed. There are substantive issues but even those are being progressed along the way," he said.
"There aren't too many places in the world during history where people elected with the mandate and responsibility to govern would walk away from that, and that is what is facing the parties.
"We set down that date at the beginning of April and I would remind people that it is set down in British legislation, so I hope there is nobody who is going to ignore what is set down in British legislation."
On Thursday, Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern warned failure to secure a deal by the deadline would confine the parties to the margins of policy-making, something he described as a "kind of virtual politics".On Thursday, Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern warned failure to secure a deal by the deadline would confine the parties to the margins of policy-making, something he described as a "kind of virtual politics".
Ian Paisley said talks in Scotland were a waste of moneyIt was the latest in a series of comments by both British and Irish ministers trying to underline the November deadline.Ian Paisley said talks in Scotland were a waste of moneyIt was the latest in a series of comments by both British and Irish ministers trying to underline the November deadline.
However, BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said it looked "increasingly likely that if there is to be an agreement it will be reached after the November deadline rather than before it".However, BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said it looked "increasingly likely that if there is to be an agreement it will be reached after the November deadline rather than before it".
Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spy ring.Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spy ring.
The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a British agent.The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a British agent.
Northern Ireland's parties have been back at Stormont since May, sitting in a so-called "virtual assembly" which can meet and debate - but not pass legislation.Northern Ireland's parties have been back at Stormont since May, sitting in a so-called "virtual assembly" which can meet and debate - but not pass legislation.
The 108 MLAs have been warned that if the deadline is not met, their salaries and benefits will stop and the assembly will be put in mothballs.The 108 MLAs have been warned that if the deadline is not met, their salaries and benefits will stop and the assembly will be put in mothballs.
What happens after that remains unclear, other than Dublin and London say they remain committed to implementing the rest of the Good Friday Agreement, with a step-change in north-south co-operation.What happens after that remains unclear, other than Dublin and London say they remain committed to implementing the rest of the Good Friday Agreement, with a step-change in north-south co-operation.