Ahern calls on NI parties to reach agreement

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today urged Northern Ireland's political parties to work together to make progress towards devolution.

Speaking in the Dail today, the Taoiseach said "it is only by the parties joining together that they can make progress and it's just vital that they do this".

"There are huge issues to be dealt with, very important issues on education and health and local government in Northern Ireland and it requires the input of political leaders, locally elected leaders and we need them all to realise that," he said.

It is important for the Preparation for Government Committee to meet the November 24th deadline for agreement on devolution, he added.

"The right thing to do here is for the Preparation for Government Committee to do its work over the next number of weeks and make progress and keep at it over the summer if necessary and meet the November 24th deadline. Get the executive back up and running, make executive decisions."

He called on the DUP in particular to "take on its responsibilities and to work and engage with Sinn Fein  to make these processes work.

"That's what I want and I think that's what everyone wants to see."