Gloomy predictions as Ahern and Blair meet in North

The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair are holding talks at Hillsborough Castle later today.

No breakthrough is expected, but it is believed further pressure will be put on the SDLP and Sinn Fein to accept British Government proposals on police reform.

Both Governments are hopeful an interim process can be put in place in the run-up to the British general election, possibly including a review of the Agreement.

Both nationalist parties have reacted pessimistically. The SDLP said any attempt to 'park' the process is risky and would be an admission of failure, while Sinn Fein insists there is still a wide gap between its demands and what is on offer from the British Government.