An investment of over €625m is being made in the North by Canadian aerospace company Bombardier, which is to use its Belfast plant for the design and manufacture of wings for a new generation of commuter aircraft.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today meet the loyalist Progressive Unionist Party after the North’s ceasefire watchdog publishes its latest report.

The Progressive Unionist Party in the North is to choose a new leader next week.

David Ervine, leader of the loyalist Progressive Unionist Party in the North, died in hospital today.

Leadership battles within the British government could have a detrimental effect on the peace process in the North, a fringe event at the UK Labour conference was warned tonight.

Charles Haughey’s towering political presence cast a shadow over events in the North.

An Ulster Unionist councillor is defecting to the Conservatives in protest at the party’s deal with the Progressive Unionist Party, it emerged today.

The Ulster Unionists were today accused of being out of touch with the needs of working class Protestants after it called on the British government to boost loyalist confidence by ending concessions to republicans.

The North’s two largest loyalist paramilitary groups were tonight urged to declare a definitive end to criminal and paramilitary activity.

Peter Hain could wreck Northern Ireland’s Policing Board by guaranteeing Sinn Féin seats will remain in nationalist hands if the party turns them down, he was warned tonight.

Loyalists would like to see a clear and unambiguous acceptance from the IRA that the way forward for republicanism is only through politics, Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine said today.

Owen Cowzer

Ulster Unionists will today decide who will take over from David Trimble as the party recovers from heavy election losses.

A bold move by the IRA on its future would have a positive effect on loyalism, it was claimed today.