Ahern Meeting: 'A Good Day For Ireland': Paisley

DUP Leader and NI Assembly First Minister, Ian Paisley has described an historic visit from the Taoiseach as "A good day for Ireland".

Both Bertie Ahern and Ian Paisley were all smiles today as they held talks in Paisley's Ballymena constituency.

Both Ahern and Dr Paisley said the talks are a symbolic meeting demonstrating their determination to co-operate for their mutual economic benefit

Mr Paisley said: "It is a good day for the whole of Ireland because we need help from outside".

Mr Ahern said he was honoured to have visited Mr Paisley's heartland: "It is an honour to be here with the First Minister to talk about progress.

"I do not believe even a year back it could have been envisaged we would have been together here.

"Guaranteeing investment and employment is a goal and objective we share and I do not think there is any sector of an economy that cannot grow and gain added value through cooperation," Mr Ahern said.

A small number of people held a protest during the visit.

(VB)