Ahern: It will take decades to eradicate sectarianism

Dermot Ahern has said he believes it will take decades to eradicate sectarianism in the North.

Giving the annual Tip O'Neill lecture at the University of Ulster in Derry, Mr Ahern said that, although it was currently a time of hope, the next steps would be vital to making real progress.

He pledged that the Government would provide more funding for cross-community projects and appealed for everyone involved in the controversy over loyalist parades to engage with each other and co-operate.

Mr Ahern also said there must be a new partnership between the incoming Northern Executive and the Irish Government to build prosperity in the North.