Ahern and Blair to discuss peace process setbacks

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London later today to assess the current state of the peace process.

The IRA's alleged involvement in the £26.5m (€38m) Belfast bank robbery and the backlash against Sinn Féin prompted by the Robert McCartney murder are expected to dominate the talks.

The on-going fallout from the two incidents has stalled efforts to restore power-sharing in the North and Mr Ahern and Mr Blair have already insisted that it is up to the republican movement to make any move to revive the peace process at this stage.