Taoiseach confident peace can be salvaged

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has expressed confidence the peace process in the North can be rescued.

In speech to the Ireland Fund in London today, Mr Ahern said the steps necessary to complete the process could, and would, be taken.

But he said developments over recent weeks had led to a collapse in trust and confidence and he could not hide his disappointment at the situation.

He said mutual trust had to be rebuilt for the North to move on and reap the benefits of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Taoiseach also reiterated the Government's stance the IRA was the only major obstacle to progress, saying if the IRA decommissioned its arms and abandoned criminality, a new spirit of partnership would emerge.