Northern Ireland Secretary rules out direct talks with dissidents

Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Patterson has today ruled out direct talks with dissident republicans.

Speaking after a meeting with Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern in Co Louth today, Patterson said that he could not have negotiations with people who were trying to kill children just two weeks ago.

He said that law enforcement agencies and Governments in the Republic, the North and the UK are working as a team to "smoke out this problem".

"I would stress also that people on the ground can help," he said. "It's up to everyone to work together."