Ahern meets parties in run up to Ulster talks
Bertie Ahern will meet both Sinn Féin and the SDLP today in the run up to key talks on the North's devolution later this week.
The Taoiseach will co-chair, with the British prime minister Tony Blair, the talks between the two governments and the Northern Ireland political parties.
The talks will take place in St Andrews, Scotland, from October 11 to 13.
The purpose of the multi-party talks is to address the few remaining issues and to make the final preparations for the election of a power-sharing Executive and the full restoration of the Northern Assembly by the November 24 deadline.
The outstanding issues that will be discussed in Scotland include policing and a commitment by all parties to power sharing.
It is hoped all the political parties going to Scotland are willing to work for an agreement.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said every effort will be made by the Government so that there is agreement between all parties before the November deadline.
