Key Belfast meetings for Ahern
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern is holding key meetings in Belfast today to be briefed on the current political and security climate in Northern Ireland.
The Irish and British governments have been stepping up contacts in recent weeks in anticipation of a positive IRA statement on its future.
Mr Ahern will have separate talks with PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde and Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan.
The Minister will also engage with members of the Policing Board, whose work he has enthusiastically supported in the past.
Mr Ahern will also be the first Irish Government representative to engage with Ulster Unionist Party leader, Reg Empey since his election last weekend.
The successor to David Trimble has already insisted that his party will not go into government with Sinn Féin in the lifetime of the current suspended Stormont Assembly.
A SDLP party delegation will also discuss current political issues with Mr Ahern.
“As a border TD, Mr Ahern is interested in receiving a personal appraisal of political, policing and security issues on the ground in Northern Ireland and reporting back to the Irish Government,” his spokesman said.
Possible sectarian tensions during the marching season are also expected to be discussed at the meetings.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain is on a four-day visit to New York and Washington to brief Irish American figures on progress in the peace process.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil yesterday that he expected a statement from the IRA before the August Bank holiday weekend in the Republic.
He also said he was gratified that IRA members across the island were engaged in serious talks about their future.
“The fact that they’re debating the issue is itself a good thing and hopefully we’ll get the right answer from them,” he said.
