26/06/2006

Premiers to reveal devolution timetable

The British and Irish governments have revealed that a timetable is to be published for Northern Ireland's politicians in the run-up to the devolution deadline.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair will release the document during their visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Speaking today during a meeting with Secretary of State Peter Hain at Hillsborough Castle, Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said that politicians would be expected to work at least until August 1, and predicted a heated atmosphere during the run up to the November 24 deadline.

The 108 MLA's resumed their seats at Stormont for the first time since October 2002, when the Assembly was suspended after allegations of a republic spy ring.

This was later proved as false in court.

Attempts to restore a local all-party power-sharing Assembly and meet the November 24 deadline is expected to be a difficult process as several efforts to elect a First Minister and Deputy First Minister have failed due to nationalists and unionists being unable to reach an agreement.

(EF/GB)

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