Cowen to meet Stormont leaders at Edinburgh gathering

The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, is due in Edinburgh today to attend a meeting of the British and Irish Council.

The body was set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote harmonious relations between Ireland and the various regions of the United Kingdom.

Today's meeting will afford Mr Cowen the opportunity to hold talks with the North's First and Deputy First Ministers about the ongoing stalemate in the power-sharing Executive.

The Executive has failed to meet for several months due to a row between Sinn Féin and the DUP over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

The move was due to happen last May, but the DUP is continuing to block it, claiming it needs more time to gain confidence in the IRA's future intentions.

The unionist party is understood to be pushing for an announcement that the IRA army council has been disbanded.