Ahern support Blair and Mowlam

Ahern Pledges Continuing Support for UK over Northern Ireland

But Downing Street played down differences in emphasis between the two governments over how best to handle the march. A spokesman said: "Where we felt it was useful was we felt he (the Irish Premier) went out of his way to say he appreciated the difficulties and both he and Ray Burke (Irish foreign affairs spokesman) were very supportive with the general commitment we have given to the whole problem. "But they also felt particularly Mo (Mowlam) had been tireless in trying to get some sort of accommodation on Drumcree."

"Those broadly supportive noises we felt were helpful." the spokesman said. He said there was no need for the two leaders to go out into Downing Street and make a joint statement. A decision on whether the Drumcree march can go ahead is expected "soon".

Ahern spoke of the necessity to resolve the issue through local dialogue and negotiation. he added: "The ultimate decision is for the British Government. I have to state what the position of the Irish government is - and I think people will understand that. The Irish Government has declared its opposition and will stay in touch."

Mr Ahern paid tribute to the Northern Secretary Mo Mowlam's efforts to resolve the dispute and revitalise the peace process, and implied criticism of her predecessor, Sir Patrick Mayhew: "I was somebody who was very critical of a previous Secretary of State - probably none more critical. But here we have a Secretary of State who is genuinely, across the community in a whole lot of confidence-building ways, trying to get people to move with her. What she has done up to now deserves support."

The Irish Prime Minister emphasised that the important thing was to see the marching season as part of the overall situation in the province. It was, he said, "part of a real opportunity to get all-inclusive talks going". But he said there were immense obstacles to be overcome before discussions could begin.

Mr Ahern said the mistakes of the past two years could not be repeated. "I think the new British government understands that," he said.

He warned against a single issue - the parades - "throwing the whole thing off course", though he said that the handling of the parades "is important in the whole context of this".

Dr Mowlam is flying back to Belfast to discuss the Drumcree parade with army and police chiefs. The talks with Ronnie Flanagan and Lt General Sir Rupert Smith were expected to go on into the early hours.

It is thought that a final decision on whether the parade goes ahead will be postponed until Saturday and that Dr Mowlam will spend tomorrow attempting to broker a last-minute compromise.

Both the Orange Order and the nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown insist they do not want confrontation - but there are few signs that either side is prepared to back down.

In a clear reference to the prospect of pressing on with multi-party talks without Sinn Fein in the absence of a renewed ceasefire by their IRA allies, Mr Ahern said: "If we go ahead without certain people, well they are certainly not going to get back into the process for a very long term." P> The Irish Foreign Minister, Ray Burke, and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, also took part in the meeting.

Ms Mowlam on Wednesday met residents of the predominantly Catholic Garvaghy Road area of Portadown where the Orangemen intend to route the march.

Mowlam: no decision yet on march

"I will remain hopeful to the end," said Dr Mowlam. "I refuse to give up and I will keep talking to both sides."

A spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents, Brendan McKenna, said he was confident that he would be told of the Secretary of State's decision before the weekend. But he insisted he had no idea whether she would let the march go ahead.

Garvaghy residents have been planning roadside pickets. They say they have been told by police they cannot hold a street festival on the day of the parade.

Mr McKenna said the police decision was ominous: "The Secretary on State said no decision had been made, but the RUC have already taken one decision in relation to this Sunday by preventing our festival."

She told them that she was studying material about Bloody Sunday when 27 people were shot by paratroopers, leaving 14 dead and 13 injured. The information she is examining includes material that was given by the families to former Ulster Secretary Lord Mayhew and a dossier handed to the British Government by John Bruton, the former Irish Prime Minister.

John Kelly, chairman of the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign, said the families were looking for an independent international inquiry with judicial powers. They have never been satisfied with the original inquiry which cleared the Army.

He said the Northern Ireland Secretary had asked each person to speak and had asked what relation they all were to the dead. "We are hopeful by listening to her there will be the possibility of a step forward in relation to addressing Bloody Sunday," said Mr Kelly.