The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr David Trimble, has said "there is a problem with regard to Ray Burke" concerning his role in the peace talks because of the controversy surrounding the Minister, writes Joe Carroll, in Washington.
Mr Trimble said: "It's up to the Irish Government what they do. I'm not going to tell them what to do about their own domestic affairs."
He was speaking at a press conference on the first day of his visit to Washington.
Asked if the controversy surrounding Mr Burke's acceptance of a £30,000 donation for his 1989 election campaign would affect his role in the multi-party talks now starting in Belfast, Mr Trimble said: "With regard to Ray Burke, he is in difficulties but I don't want to go into details on this. There is a fund-raising problem. The US problems on fund-raising are nothing compared to the problems experienced in Dublin at the moment."