Ahern expects power-sharing push in North to go to the wire

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night made it clear he expects the push to restore power sharing in the North to go right down to the November deadline.

After meeting British Premier Tony Blair to co-ordinate strategy, ahead of intensive all party talks scheduled for Scotland, next month, Mr Ahern insisted Dublin and London would not budge from their ultimatum.

Both governments again warned unionist and republican leaders that if no deal on creating a cross-community Executive was agreed by November 24, Stormont would be shut down and that the administration of the North would revert to “Plan B”.