06/11/2002

All-party talks on the agenda following ministerial meeting

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy and Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen are expected to announce details of fresh all-party talks next week following their first ever meeting in Dublin today.

Both ministers discussed their attempts to end the current political crisis and are to meet again next week, after which details of the all-party talks will be revealed.

The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended on October 14 by the then Secretary of State Dr John Reid due to a crisis of confidence over alleged IRA spying activities within the NIO.

The meeting with Brian Cowen was Mr Murphy's first in his capacity as Northern Ireland Secretary of State. It also follows his recent round of talks with local political parties following his appointment as Secretary of State two weeks ago.

Mr Cowen, meanwhile, has met delegations from some of the Northern Ireland parties, including the SDLP.

The Irish Foreign minister is due to meet the Ulster Unionists and some of the smaller pro-Agreement parties in Belfast on Friday.

(MB)

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