Ahern and Blair step up talks to restore North’s power-sharing executive

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s latest bid to restore devolution and secure the Provisionals’ disarmament will intensify today during the second day of crucial talks at Hillsborough Castle, which could result in the restoration of the North’s power-sharing executive.

Though all sides reported progress as the talks broke up last night, Sinn Féin was said to be resisting unionist demands for harsh punishments against further ceasefire breaches.

The talks will resume early today and unionist leader David Trimble is expected to reiterate that the IRA’s commitment to ending its military campaign has to be monitored. “The question of verification and sanctions is a deal breaker. There will not be any progress without it,” he said.