Forum for Peace and Reconciliation may be re-established

A Sinn Fein source in Belfast has said the Irish and British governments are likely to announce the re-establishment of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation following talks in Hillsborough today.

The forum was originally established in Dublin following the first IRA ceasefire in 1994.

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and Northern Secretary John Reid are meeting today to discuss ways to restore devolution in the North following the suspension of the Assembly and power-sharing Executive.

The two will also discuss an increased role for the Irish Government in the North because the suspension of the Executive has left nationalists without a voice in government.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Dublin has the right to intervene on behalf of nationalists in the event of any suspension.