Cowen meets Reid following Assembly suspension

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen and the Northern Secretary John Reid are meeting to review the political situation following the suspension of the Stormont Assembly.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen and the Northern Secretary John Reid are meeting today to review the political situation following the suspension of the Stormont Assembly.

It is hoped the institutions will be restored early on Sunday, giving the parties another six weeks of negotiations to resolve the outstanding issues.

Dr Reid confirmed on Friday that the Government intends to publish the proposed implementation plan on policing next week - a move that has been demanded by the nationalist parties.

This could soon be followed by publication of the Criminal Justice Review and legislation aimed at amending the Police Act.

But there are increasing fears that progress over decommissioning made earlier this week could be lost with speculation that the IRA may break off links with the decommissioning body headed by General John de Chastelain.

The IRA leadership pulled out of talks with the body the last time the power-sharing executive and institutions were put on hold.

The Assembly was formally suspended at midnight following an announcement by Dr Reid at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, after consultations with Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Mr Blair, who is on holiday in Mexico, said he hoped more progress could be made.

He added: "When we have come so far, I think most people would agree with both governments that we should allow the parties more time to try to bridge the remaining gaps."

Mr Ahern said that despite the slow and frustrating pace of progress he believed the period ahead offered a further chance to "bridge differences".