Talks to go ahead tomorrow

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are holding talks with the Pro-Agreement parties in the North tomorrow.

The discussions are expected to begin with separate sessions with party leaders before progressing to round table talks.

However, there is already cynicism over the meetings, with many believing it is purely a PR exercise from Tony Blair after the Real IRA bombing in London at the weekend. Sinn Fein have argued against the talks unless serious progress can be made, while the SDLP feel they could be worthwhile.

Not much is expected from the day-long meeting, with little progression from eight weeks of intensive talks.