Ahern eyes lifting of suspension

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday said he hoped to see the suspension of the Northern Assembly and executive lifted in 2006, and “the earlier the better.”

Mr Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are expected to start talks on the restoration of devolution with Northern political parties following the publication at the end of January of a report on IRA decommissioning.

The Taoiseach made clear that, if the International Monitoring Commission report backs up the Provisionals’ claim that they have put all their arms beyond use, he will push for a speedy return to power-sharing at Stormont.

Mr Ahern said he still hoped to see a united Ireland in his lifetime, but regarded peace and stability in the North as a more important objective.