Two sides in North closer than ever: Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday said nationalists and unionists were closer in purpose and understanding now than at any time over the past two centuries.

Speaking at Fianna Fáil’s annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare, Mr Ahern said the long-standing divisions between the two traditions had undergone profound change.

“In 200 years, there has never been as much dialogue and interaction between all the significant political groupings on this island as there is today,” he said.