Lancaster House in London today
The Taoiseach and British Prime Minister Tony Blair today announced plans for talks over several days in September to try and revive the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The announcement was made following a day of talks with the Northern Ireland Assembly parties at Lancaster House in London. Today's talks were expected to lay the foundations for negotiations in September that could lead to a restoration of devolution.
Speaking after today's meeting, the British Prime Minister said the "point of decision" had come to see if the problems that led to the suspension of the Stormont Assembly could be resolved.
Mr Blair said they had set aside several days for talks with the parties but if that failed the search would start for an alternative, and he signalled that that could mean dissolution of Stormont.
"Most people in Northern Ireland realise you can't continue with an Assembly, people being paid salaries and not doing anything."
Today's meeting came amid concerns that possible marching season violence could disrupt attempts to reactivate the Stormont institutions.
Tomorrow's Orange Order Whiterock parade is of particular concern and tensions were high this evening after the Parades Commission reversed an earlier ban on the march.