Minister claims progress in the North

Joint British-Irish proposals aimed at restoring devolved government in the North are understood to have progressed in recent days.

Negotiations are said to be at a delicate stage but both Sinn Féin and the DUP are expected to deliver their individual responses to the proposals in the next seven to 10 days

Speaking from the Ogra Fianna Fáil conference in County Cavan late last night, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, said a number of unresolved issues remain including decommissioning, the end of paramilitarism, the and the whole issue of militarism.

“These are all issues which are pieces of a jigsaw, and there are four of five issues which are still somewhat contentious, and we are trying to bring the parties closer together so the deal can be signed off on,” he said.