Taoiseach urged to stand up to DUP

Bertie Ahern will face calls today to stand up to Ian Paisley in talks to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.

Nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan will meet the Taoiseach in Government Buildings ahead of a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street on Wednesday.

The Foyle MP will be joined at today’s meeting by SDLP deputy leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell and Assembly members Dolores Kelly, Alex Attwood and Dominic Bradley.

Last week after a meeting with Mr Blair, Democratic Unionist leader Paisley claimed the Good Friday agreement was dead and should be given a decent burial.

However, Mr Bradley, who is the Assembly member for Newry and Armagh, said: “Ian Paisley says the Good Friday agreement is dead. The SDLP will be urging the Taoiseach and Tony Blair to prove him wrong.

“They must be clear that the DUP’s mandate does not override the will of the Irish people, north and south.

“The two governments must stand behind the Agreement and press ahead with its implementation.”

Mr Bradley said this did not just mean pressing ahead with moves on human rights, equality, cross-border institutions and the scaling down of security - but also lifting the suspension of devolution and getting the Agreement operating again.

He also urged the governments to be as resolute on the issue of paramilitary crime, forcing loyalist terror groups and the IRA to end involvement in paramilitary and criminal activities.

Last month Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams called on the IRA to consider abandoning armed struggle and embracing the democratic alternative.

The Provisionals have begun that debate but the DUP has insisted that devolution should not be kept waiting for republicans to reach the same democratic standards as others in the peace process.

The DUP wants changes to the way devolved governments in Northern Ireland are set up, with a voluntary coalition replacing the current system which forces them into government with Sinn Féin.

The SDLP, however, has rebuffed the DUP’s overtures to form a voluntary coalition with them which would freeze Sinn Féin out of ministerial office, insisting that they will only stick by the principle of inclusivity in the Agreement.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams last night also insisted the only way forward was through the Good Friday agreement.