Ahern and Blair to meet for talks

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London today to discuss efforts to see the full implementation of the St Andrew's Agreement.

Mr Ahern will also raise concerns about allegations of British security force collusion in loyalist terror attacks in Ireland.

Last week a Dáil committee published a report with evidence that army and police officers in the North aided a paramilitary gang as it carried out a string of brutal murders in the border region in the 1970s and 1980s.

One of the attacks saw terrorists shoot dead three members of the popular Miami Showband in 1975.

The meeting is the first time the two leaders have met since the Transitional Assembly was established at Stormont under the St Andrew's Agreement.

Discussions are likely to focus mainly on the current situation in the North.

With legislation now passed in Britain and a commitment to power-sharing by the relevant party leaders, it is understood the focus will be on ensuring the St Andrew's timescale is maintained.

The Taoiseach is also expected to raise the issue of the peace dividend and to follow up on his recent meetings with victims of terrorism.