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Election talks for Ahern and Hain Election talks for Ahern and Hain
(about 8 hours later)
The Irish Taoiseach and the Northern Ireland Secretary are due to hold talks in Cardiff ahead of elections to the Stormont Executive in Belfast.The Irish Taoiseach and the Northern Ireland Secretary are due to hold talks in Cardiff ahead of elections to the Stormont Executive in Belfast.
Bertie Ahern and Peter Hain - also the Welsh Secretary - will be at the Six Nations rugby game between Ireland and Wales at the city's Millennium Stadium.Bertie Ahern and Peter Hain - also the Welsh Secretary - will be at the Six Nations rugby game between Ireland and Wales at the city's Millennium Stadium.
Elections in Northern Ireland are scheduled for March 7.Elections in Northern Ireland are scheduled for March 7.
Mr Ahern said recent events, such as Sinn Fein's endorsement of policing, offered hope for the future.Mr Ahern said recent events, such as Sinn Fein's endorsement of policing, offered hope for the future.
Mr Hain told GMTV the path to power-sharing would not be easy, but he still believed it would happen.
"I don't expect any handshakes for the cameras, what I expect is a very scratchy election campaign and probably a bit scratchy thereafter," he said.
"But the difference here, is not just the things I described, it's that the conditions are in place for stable government with support for policing and the rule of law and a commitment to power-sharing on all sides."
The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended in 2002 amid allegations of a republican spying ring.The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended in 2002 amid allegations of a republican spying ring.
In October 2006, Ireland and the UK negotiated the St Andrews Agreement - a road map towards the restoration of the power-sharing government.In October 2006, Ireland and the UK negotiated the St Andrews Agreement - a road map towards the restoration of the power-sharing government.
A new power-sharing executive is due to be formed on 26 March.A new power-sharing executive is due to be formed on 26 March.
In a statement, Mr Ahern said: "If the parties adhere to this agreement and timescale, the people of Northern Ireland can look forward to the restoration of shared government next month."In a statement, Mr Ahern said: "If the parties adhere to this agreement and timescale, the people of Northern Ireland can look forward to the restoration of shared government next month."
He added there was a "very great responsibility" on all parties to rise to the challenges ahead.He added there was a "very great responsibility" on all parties to rise to the challenges ahead.