Dermot Ahern urges calm in latest North deadlock

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern is calling for a calm approach to the latest deadlock in the North's peace process.

The St Andrew's plan for restoring devolution by March this year appears to be faltering, with the DUP refusing to accept the devolution of policing powers to Stormont by May 2008.

Sinn Féin has responded to the unionist party's stance by holding a meeting today to consider whether to cancel its planned vote on endorsing the PSNI.

Asked about the matter in Dublin today, Minister Ahern said he was hopeful the crisis could be resolved.

"I think people have to be calm, people have to be given space," he said. "We have to get over it in a way that both sides are happy that they can move forward.

"I believe Sinn Féin want to do the deal and believe the SDLP and the UUP have been helpful, so if there's a bit of leadership and goodwill, I think we can do it."