Ahern says Paisley criticism of President regrettable

Talks to restore devolution begin this morning amid the political fallout from last week's report on paramilitary activity and…

Talks to restore devolution begin this morning amid the political fallout from last week's report on paramilitary activity and a controversy over Rev Ian Paisley's criticism of President Mary McAleese, writes Dan Keenan Northern News Editor.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's office said last night the DUP leader's unscripted allegations were deeply regrettable.

Dr Paisley told his party's annual conference: "I don't like the President of the Irish Republic ... because she is dishonest" and that she hated Northern Ireland. He further accused her of breaching diplomatic protocol and of being hostile to the PSNI.

In a statement the Taoiseach said no one had done more to reach out to all communities in the North.

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Áras an Uachtaráin was taken by surprise by the remarks, but declined to comment officially.

Government sources in Dublin and Belfast denied that the trenchant tone of the DUP conference, which set its face against sharing office with Sinn Féin, Dr Paisley's attack on Mrs McAleese, and last week's IMC report would make today's talks yet more difficult.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain said he did not expect the DUP "to gallop into government" with republicans in the short term.

However, he did want them to work towards restoration of power sharing. "What I do expect of all the parties - the DUP included - is to find a way forward where we can get the assembly up and running and thereafter power-sharing established and restored with ministerial functions being exercised by elected politicians in Northern Ireland," he told the BBC.

A well-placed source at Stormont said of the DUP's defiant conference stance, that it was up to the party to convince other parties and not just the two governments, of the merits of its devolution proposals.

Today's talks will involve the Northern parties and the two governments. There was confusion last night over the question of talks between the DUP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern this morning at Hillsborough Castle. A Dublin source questioned a belief in Stormont circles that the DUP would meet only Mr Hain this morning, adding that Mr Ahern would like to talk directly to Dr Paisley at some stage.

Both governments suggested that the Hillsborough meetings were much more than a stocktaking exercise. "There is a lot to discuss and this is a crucial year," The Irish Times was told. "The status quo is simply not an option."

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the timing of progress was not up to the DUP. "The two governments need to make it clear that the DUP are not in sole control of the timing and terms for restoring the institutions of the agreement," he said.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the Hillsborough talks would not be "for the optics".

"The DUP have to be given the chance to put their ideas to the rest of us and Sinn Féin will listen attentively and respectfully to everyone's ideas. But the main objective of these talks has to be to end the suspension of the political institutions within a short timeframe."