Taoiseach to meet Sinn Fein delegation

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is due in Dublin this evening for talks at Government buildings with the Taoiseach Mr Ahern.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is due in Dublin this evening for talks at Government buildings with the Taoiseach Mr Ahern.

Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuiness, will accompany him to the meeting.

Mr Adams yesterday played down hopes of a major breakthrough at next Monday's crucial Hillsborough talks, to be staged by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.

Referring to British commitments on normalisation, justice reforms and on-the-run paramilitaries, the Sinn Fein leader said: "You could paper the walls of Stormont with government statements. But we need time-framed, do-able commitments by the (British) government."

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Indications are persisting this morning that the British and Irish governments still believe that a deal is possible next week at Hillsborough, despite the current difficulties.

Stock-taking discussions between Mr Ahern and Mr Blair at Downing Street tomorrow should provide an indication of what they believe is possible.

Today's talks are part of a series of such meetings this week between the respective governments and members of the pro-Agreement parties. The Taoiseach yesterday met with an SDLP delegation, which included party leader Mr Mark Durkan, Ms Brid Rodgers and Mr Sean Farren, at Government buildings.