SF make further call for new election date

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has again called on the British government to set a new date for elections in Northern Ireland.

Mr Adams made the call following a meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the weekend.

He said: "The cancellation of the elections by the British government has made things even more difficult for everyone on the island, particularly the Irish government. We need to work this mess out. We need to get the British government to undo the damage that they have done and the first step in all of this is the setting of an election date."

Mr Blair cancelled this month's elections blaming a lack of clarity on the IRA's position on future paramilitary activities.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble was the only mainstream leader to support Mr Blair's decision. At the time of the announcement he said he believed postponement had made a solution to problems in the peace process more likely.

Mr Trimble also said that he hoped the time allowed by the delay would be used by the republican movement to reflect on its position.

Meanwhile, Mr Adams said moves by Sinn Fein to reach out to unionists would be made within the next few days. The West Belfast MP said he wanted to meet the concerns of unionists in Northern Ireland.

He was speaking after a 90-minute meeting with Mr Ahern and Foreign Minister Brian Cowen in Dublin on Saturday.

(MB)