Paisley To Host Ahern In Ballymena

Another 'historic' cross-border meeting will take place on Friday when Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern holds political talks with NI First Minister Ian Paisley in his own 'backyard'.

The two leaders will meet in the DUP Leader's Ballymena constituency tomorrow.

The visit is to expected to be a further sign of good relations between the two figureheads - and their respective countries - since their famous handshake in Dublin last year.

“In Ballymena, Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley are expected to discuss political and economic developments in Northern Ireland and increasing cross-border co-operation with the Republic,” the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.

The two leaders will be seeing a lot of each other being due to meet again next week at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce where Dr Paisley has been invited as guest speaker at the organisation's annual general meeting.

The Dublin Chamber engagement is the latest visit to the Republic by the DUP leader since the Assembly was restored in Stormont last May.

The Taoiseach invited Mr Paisley to the historic Battle of the Boyne battle site in Co Louth last July where the DUP leader presented a 17th Century musket to Mr Ahern.

Mr Ahern had previously given a 50th wedding anniversary present to Mr Paisley and his wife Eileen - a walnut bowl, crafted from a centuries-old tree taken from the battle site.

Last October Rev Paisley addressed the Trinity College Historical Society in Dublin and also attended a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators event in the Royal College of Physicians in the city in November.

(VB)(BMcC)