Ahern warns DUP: reforms will continue without deal

THE Taoiseach has warned that the Irish and British Governments will implement those sections of the Good Friday Agreement that do not require the elected institutions to be up and running if the DUP continue to stall the talks.

Bertie Ahern said that the governments will jointly press ahead next month on matters such as the anti-discrimination elements of the Agreement, cross-border cooperation, amnesties for on-the-run prisoners and dismantling of British army observation posts.

The Taoiseach made his statement after a brief discussion with the British prime minister Tony Blair in Rome yesterday where they attended the signing of the European Constitution.