Tensions escalated further at Stormont today as Sinn Féin pressed First Minister Peter Robinson to agree to a major meeting of ministers from the north and south.

The stalemate in the North has developed into a very serious situation, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams warned today.

Eircom today beat off competition from British Telecom to win a hi-tech €100m contract in the North's civil service.

The Democratic Unionists were tonight challenged to publish around 100 side deals secured from the British government during talks in 2004 to revive the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Attempts to hollow out the Good Friday Agreement will be resisted, the Democratic Unionist Party was warned today.

Attempts are being made in the Northern Ireland talks to strangle cross-border cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement, it was claimed today.

Rival unionist parties were today embroiled in a bitter row over plans to increase co-operation with the Republic of Ireland.

The Government and the Stormont Executive are to consider increasing the number of cross-border bodies, it was disclosed today.

The Government was today warned by Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble that it was being used by Sinn Fein for electoral purposes by holding talks with Stormont ministers Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun.

Stormont Assembly Education Minister Martin McGuinness was urged today to use his influence to persuade the IRA to give up its arsenal of weapons.