Ahern briefs Paisley

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today had a telephone conversation with Democratic Unionist Party Leader Ian Paisley to discuss the difficulties in the Northern Ireland peace process.

A spokesperson said the 15-minute lunchtime talks gave Mr Ahern an opportunity to update Mr Paisley on yesterday’s meetings in Dublin with Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP.