Blair for Dublin meeting

The timetable for implementing the provisions of the Belfast Agreement will be reviewed by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, on Monday, at their first meeting since the referendums.

Mr Blair will travel to Dublin from Madrid on Monday evening for a dinner meeting with Mr Ahern in Government Buildings. The meeting is part of the British Presidency's preparations for the EU summit in Cardiff in mid-June.

Besides EU matters such as Agenda 2000 and employment action plans, the two leaders will take the opportunity to review developments, such as the assembly elections and Orange parades, in coming weeks.

Mr Blair and Mr Ahern have yet to decide where the new assembly will sit. Contrary to expectations, Government sources indicated that it could not be taken for granted that it would sit at Stormont.