Paisley and Ahern in first handshake

The first ever public handshake between the Democratic Unionist leader the Reverend Ian Paisley and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern took place before talks between the two leaders in Dublin today.

The North’s First Minister in waiting arrived at Farmleigh House for talks with Mr Ahern in gorgeous spring sunshine.

As he arrived, the North Antrim MP, who was accompanied by his son Ian Paisley Jr, bellowed: “Good morning.

“I better shake hands with this man and give you a firm grip.”

There was a warm handshake with the Taoiseach at the door of Farmleigh House, with Mr Paisley slapping Mr Ahern affectionately on the right shoulder.

The talks were expected to focus on future relations between the Irish government and the new administration at Stormont which will come into being on May 8.

The DUP was also expected to raise the issue of a financial package for the new power-sharing executive.

The Government has already pledged €591m to infrastructural projects north of the border.

However, the DUP is also seeking the Government’s help to squeeze more funds out of Britain's chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown who has promised £51bn (€75bn) over 10 years and in accessing possible European Union funds.