Paisley to hold talks with Archbishop Brady

DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley is to hold historic face-to-face talks with the Catholic Primate of All Ireland Sean Brady.

The first-ever discussions between Rev Paisley and Archbishop Brady are expected to take place at Stormont Buildings, Belfast on Monday, October 9.

The groundbreaking meeting will come two days before the intensive power-sharing summit in Scotland led by the Irish and British governments.

Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair will aim to settle outstanding issues between the political parties ahead of the November 24 deadline for devolution.

Correspondence about a possible meeting between the DUP and Dr Brady began over a year ago after tentative moves by party MPs Gregory Campbell and Jeffrey Donaldson.

The DUP recently promised that it would consult widely before deciding on sharing a devolved government with Sinn Féin.

Last Monday, Dr Paisley and a DUP delegation held discussions with the moderator of the Presbyterian Church.