Plans for a shadow Assembly in Northern Ireland are unworkable and would be a political misadventure, the SDLP claimed today.
An SDLP delegation today held 90 minutes of talks with the Government in Dublin on proposals to revive devolution during 2006.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan afterwards called for a strict deadline for power-sharing so that political parties can deliver on their mandates.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain is expected to outline legislative proposals for devolution to the parties next week.
The Taoiseach Mr Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are then expected to unveil a 'roadmap' which unionists and nationalists believe will call for the establishment of a shadow Assembly with a set deadline for full-blown devolution.
Mr Durkan said today: "We have always opposed the idea of returning to the Assembly in shadow mode. "We're glad that the Irish Government accepts that for the British government to use the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to provide for aspects of that 2004 Comprehensive Agreement would be a political misadventure.
"If a date is set for restoration, parties would find themselves inside institutions with legal powers vested in them and they will have to show if they are up for it or not.
"Unless parties are faced with a definite deadline by which they have responsibility for decisions they make, parties will continue to use more delay, shadow-boxing and posturing."
Mr Ahern said today that he plans inclusive proposals in the spirit of the Belfast Agreement, but he and Mr Blair couldn't wait around for ever for all parties to sign up. "If we can't bring everybody with us, then we have to make a call and move on. I'd still like to bring everybody with us but we can't wait around indefinitely."
Mr Durkan said today's meeting made it very clear to him that the Irish Government accepts the aborted 2004 power-sharing agreement was not a basis for progress.
"They accept that we do now need to have a clear date and agenda for restoration," he added.
He said the SDLP was concerned that the British government would legislate for a shadow assembly in the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill. He added: "We are reassured that the Irish Government now accepts that the 2004 agreement isn't the basis for progress.
"We're glad that the Irish Government is now saying that their minds are fixed on a date and agenda for restoration."
He said the both governments have the power to say that the issues that caused suspension are now dealt with to their satisfaction and therefore they are restoring the institutions. "It's up to the parties to use their mandates inside those institutions to take responsibility for those decisions," he added.
PA