Ahern and Blair receive honorary degrees from Queens

The former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his British counterpart, Tony Blair, have both been conferred with honorary doctors at Queens University in Belfast.

Mr. Blair who was not in attendance had accepted his honour via video link.

As he accepted the honour, Bertie Ahern thanked Tony Blair and said it had been a long road.

"Tony and I have travelled many miles together on the road to peace and I would like to say that I share this with all of those who have worked with us over the past 12 years – they are the people who made it possible", said Mr. Ahern.

The ceremony was part of a two day conference at the university on the Peace Process.

In his speech to the conference the former deputy leader of the SDLP, Seamus Mallon praised former Unionist Party leader David Trimble and claimed the British and Irish governments have failed to support him adequately.