Ahern and Blair to meet for informal talks

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair are to meet for informal talks.

They are expected to discuss the current efforts to restore the functioning of the North's power-sharing government when they meet for informal talks at Tony Blair's country residence.

Progress on talks between the British and Irish governments on the issue is said by Irish sources to be 'good but slow'.

Speaking in London last night, Bertie Ahern, described the progress as 'significant'.