Sinn Fein keen to get talks underway

Sinn Fein sources believed today their intense discussions with British and Irish government officials would determine whether the Prime Minister and his Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern, would travel to Northern Ireland for the round table talks.

‘‘The discussions between Gerry (Adams) and the British and Irish governments have been very intense in recent days,’’ a source said.

"‘They have been aimed at a resolution of the issues of policing, demilitarisation, weapons and the permanency of the institutions and are still going on.

‘‘We expect the outcome of those discussions will determine whether there are, or are not, round-table talks.’’

Parties at Stormont were expecting the Prime Minister to travel to Hillsborough Castle to take part in the round-table meeting.

However, a question mark is still hanging over Mr Ahern’s involvement, with the Taoiseach having to cut short a visit to Japan if he decides to take part in the discussions.