Ahern and Hain meet to review progress in North

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is due to meet Northern Secretary Peter Hain this morning as the Irish and British governments begin their latest push for progress in the North.

The discussions in Dundalk will focus on the two governments' plan for restoring devolution in the North before November 24.

Dublin and London have given the DUP and Sinn Féin until that date to agree a power-sharing deal or accept the shelving of the Northern Assembly and Executive for an indefinite period.

However, there appears to be little sign of any such deal, with the DUP still steadfastly refusing to enter any power-sharing arrangement with republicans.

Today's talks are expected to be followed up later this week by a meeting between the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams are also expected to hold separate talks with Mr Blair during the week.

The Northern Assembly, meanwhile, reconvenes today to hear the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Rhodri Morgan extolling the benefits of devolution.