Ahern announces new Forum date

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has announced that the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation is to be revived and its first meeting will be held in Dublin Castle on Wednesday, November 27.

Unionists have already said they will play no part in the Forum, which has been welcomed by the SDLP and Sinn Fein.

The Forum will review the political situation in the North as well as engaging in other activities such as the talks between the British and Irish governments and the Northern parties.

Senator Maurice Hayes, a retired Northern civil servant and commentator, will chair the Forum.