07/02/2008

UK And Irish Leaders Meet

High level talks are to be held this weekend between Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The two men are set to meet in Manchester on Sunday to discuss the planned devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland, before attending a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

A key element of the St Andrew's agreement is the restoration of policing and justice powers within two years of the Executive being formed, meaning that full devolution of these powers must take place by May 2009.

These talks follow the latest North-South Ministerial Council meeting today (Thursday) when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern again met Northern Ireland First Minister Rev Ian Paisley for talks in the border town of Dundalk.

The Taoiseach led the Irish Government delegation, with First Minister Ian Paisley heading the Northern Irelancd team, joined by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The delegations discussed plans for a cross-border public awareness campaign to highlight child protection and the movements of paedophiles, as well as a range of other issues of mutual concern.

It was the second plenary session of the Council since devolution returned to the North last May.

(VB)(BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 October 2009
DUP's Robinson 'Wants More' From No 10
Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has said that he is looking for further 'clarification' from Prime Minister Gordon Brown about funding for the devolution of responsibility for policing and justice. Sinn Féin have accepted the deal but the DUP wants to go further.
11 April 2003
Blair and Ahern confident despite latest peace hiccup
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appeared at a Downing Street press conference yesterday, and confidently predicted that the latest hiccup in the Northern Ireland peace process could be overcome.
16 October 2006
Commons statement on 'historic' NI talks
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has told MPs that the outcome of last week's talks with local political parties in St Andrews could be a historic moment. The three-day long talks examined power sharing and political institutions, policing, human rights, and financial packages for a restored executive.
21 February 2011
PM Sees 'Great Opportunity' In Egypt Visit
David Cameron has become the first world leader to touch down in Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was forced to stand down. The Prime Minister has arrived in the country, which is currently under military rule, to hold talks with officials. President Mubarak stood down ten days ago amid protests against his regime.
04 April 2011
PM Condemns PSNI Bomb Murder
The NI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott is to meet senior politicians this morning to discuss the weekend murder of Catholic police officer Ronan Kerr. The 10am summit follows the murder of the 25-year-old constable who was killed by a booby-trap bomb which exploded under his car in Omagh on Saturday.