Concerns raised over latest power-sharing plans

Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair’s plans to revive power-sharing in the North appeared to be in trouble tonight as nationalists raised concerns about the proposal.

Sinn Féin negotiators were involved in a tense meeting with Irish officials after the patry's Caoimghin O'Caolain said Sinn Féin had some concerns about the package of proposals.

Tony Blair also presented DUP leader Ian Paisley with the plans during a meeting in Downing Street.

But SDLP leader Mark Durkan tonight went on the offensive against the proposals, telling a debate in University College, Dublin, the DUP was given a veto under the proposal on nationalist ministers.

Mr Durkan expressed alarm at the proposals that the joint election in the Northern Ireland Assembly for their First and Deputy First ministers would be replaced by a vote at Stormont for the entire executive.

“It means that the DUP have a veto over any nationalist minister appointed to the executive,” he said. “When the SDLP negotiated the Agreement, we ensured that no party could veto any other party’s ministerial appointments. Now the DUP can politically vet the lot.

“Nationalists won’t have the last say on who they appoint as ministers. The DUP will.”

The Irish and British governments were today hoping their proposal would help pave the way for the revival of power-sharing and for significant moves by the IRA on disarmaments and its future.

Devolution has been suspended for more than two years because of concerns about IRA activity.