DUP to attend first-ever North-South Council meeting

The Democratic Unionist Party is set to participate in its first-ever North-South Ministerial Council meeting later today.

The party has previously boycotted all meetings of the council, which was set up under the Good Friday Agreement to promote greater cross-border co-operation.

However, it is now ending the boycott following its decision to enter a power-sharing government with Sinn Féin.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will be leading the Irish Government's delegation at today's meeting in Armagh, while First Minister Ian Paisley will lead the team of Stormont ministers.