Ahern: We don't want to use plan B

The British and Irish governments would prefer to see Northern politicians taking over the running of the government of the North in advance of the new November 24 deadline, Bertie Ahern insisted today.

As he launched in Armagh along with British Prime Minister Tony Blair their roadmap for securing devolved government, the Taoiseach stressed both leaders would be loath to have to revert to a plan B for running the North if it proves impossible to form a power-sharing executive by November.