Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny are to feature in an SDLP conference on "the nature and needs of modern Ireland".

Asbestos victims campaigning for compensation today received a huge boost as the North's Assembly members united to demand more money for those ‘‘breathing in death’’.

A furious war of words erupted between nationalists at Stormont today after an SDLP minister claimed the French presidential election should serve as a reminder to those alarmed at the prospect of further Sinn Fein and DUP gains at the ballot box.

Ballots were due to open today for the deputy leadership of Northern Ireland’s nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party.