President Bush expected to announce special envoy for North

Speculation is mounting that US President, George W Bush, will appoint a special envoy to help the peace process in the North.

The White House is expected to appoint Richard Hass to the newly-created position, which will co-ordinate US policy for Northern Ireland.

The move should put an end to any fears that the Bush administration has no interest in the North and should please An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who is in Washington for St Patrick’s Day.