Ahern to meet Blair for more talks on peace process

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair for talks as the Northern Ireland peace process teeters on the brink following hardline Ulster Unionist demands to scrap the devolved institutions.

Hopes have faded that the Prime Minister would use Mr Ahern's visit to his Sedgefield constituency in Co Durham as the platform for unveiling the two Governments' package of proposals to rescue the Good Friday Agreement.