SF, DUP meet with Blair over IRA disarmament

Sinn Féin and the DUP held separate meetings with British prime minister Tony Blair in London today for the first time since the IRA completed its disarmament programme.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the meeting with the Prime Minister 'crucially important'.

Emerging from Downing Street this afternoon, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams described the meeting as "good and positive"

Mr Adams said: "We discussed in some detail the ongoing violence by unionist paramilitaries both against themselves and against the wider Catholic community."

The party's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said: "What we are looking for is for all of the other parties in this process to keep to the commitments that they made.

Mr McGuinness said: "In the course of recent times I think it is obvious to everyone that Republicans have delivered big-time for the peace process.

"What we now need to see is others keeping their commitments. Of course, key in all of this, is to set in train a process which will see the speedy restoration of the Good Friday institutions."

Mr McGuinness said this responsibility rested with both Mr Blair and Mr Paisley, adding that Mr Paisley had "a huge responsibility" given the recent violence in Unionist areas.

Mr Adams said he was satisfied that "having met with the European Commissioner on the whole question of funding for peace and reconciliation that Downing Street will be doing what is necessary to ensure that that money comes into the North and Border counties."

Before the meeting DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley said he would be looking for equality for unionists. "We deserve equality. We're asking that all citizens of Northern Ireland are equal under the law.

"We're asking for our rights and we are determined" to get them, he added.

Mr Paisley is leading a delegation to discuss their 68-page document outlining the measures for restoring unionist confidence in the peace process. It is understood the document was e-mailed to Mr Blair's office earlier this week.

The DUP has been campaigning for the retention of at least one Northern Ireland - based battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, all of which are due to be phased out over the next two years.

The party has also raised concerns about the treatment of Protestant and unionist culture and marching organisations.