SDLP to tell Ahern to 'stand behind' accord

An SDLP party delegation is set to the Taoiseach this afternoon in talks aimed at restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

An SDLP party delegation is set to the Taoiseach this afternoon in talks aimed at restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan will be joined by party colleagues Alastair McDonnell, Alex Atwood, Dominic Bradley and Dolores Kelly at the meeting in Government buildings today.

Mr Bradley said: "Ian Paisley says the Good Friday agreement is dead. The SDLP will be urging the Taoiseach and Tony Blair to prove him wrong.

"They must be clear that the DUP's mandate does not override the will of the Irish people, north and south. The two governments must stand behind the agreement and press ahead with its implementation," he added.

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Mr Bradley also urged the governments to be as resolute on the issue of paramilitary crime, forcing loyalist terror groups and the IRA to end involvement in paramilitary and criminal activities.

This SDLP group is to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street on Wednesday.