Pro-Agreement parties to meet again on Tuesday

Talks between pro-agreement parties in the north have concluded with parties agreeing to meet again on Tuesday. Sources said the the talks, involving Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP had produced no major breakthrough in the stalemate over the formation of an executive. However, in a statement, the parties said useful discussions had continued.

Meanwhile it is understood that Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has met Tony Blair in London at Downing Street. The meeting is beleived to have lasted about an hour. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and British Prime minister Tony Blair will meet in Downing Street again on Thursday.

Earlier today, the Taoiseach paid tribute to what he described as the enormous contribution of women to the peace process. Speaking at a Conference organised by the National Women's Conference in Ballyconnell County Cavan, Mr Ahern said women in all the parties, the Women's Coalition and the negotating teams of both governments made a difference and caused things to happen which might not have come about in their absence. He paid particular tribute to the Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam and Minister of State Liz O'Donnell.

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair also met the four smaller pro-Good Friday Agreement parties - the Alliance Party, the Women's Coalition, the Progressive Unionists and the Ulster Democratic Unionists - at Downing Street today. Before the meeting, the Women's Coalition leader, Monica McWilliams, said she was optimistic that a transitional executive could be set up in the next few weeks. David Adams of the UDP said the Agreement should be implemented in full.