Bertie Ahern: keeping up the momentum

Ahern Meets Sinn Fein

The meeting in Dublin displayed the determination of the Irish government to try to accelerate the peace process.

Afterwards the three men issued a statement saying: "We are all committed to the achievement of lasting peace and reconciliation on this island based on justice and equality.

Commitment to Democracy and Peace

Hume, Ahern and Adams - committed to peace

"We recognise that ultimately we can resolve this problem only with the participation and agreement of the Unionist people. All three of us endorse the principles set out in the report of the New Ireland Forum and those that were agreed in the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.

"We look forward to the opening of substantive all party negotiations on September 15. We have agreed to strengthen opportunities for consultation between the Irish government and parties to the talks."

Mr Ahern said the British and Irish governments remained "absolutely committed" to the September 15 deadline for substantive talks on the future of Northern Ireland.

"I dearly hope that the day can be reached in the not too distant future when we can be here and that David Trimble and others would be here with us. If we are to make the kind of breakthrough that the circumstances have allowed to happen then we could all be here talking about issues that are to our mutual benefit."

The SDLP leader, John Hume, said: "My appeal to people about this meeting is don't be looking at the picture of the three of us. Look at what we have said. Because we have made very clear that our objective is agreement among our divided people and we are making it clear that the problem cannot be resolved without the agreement of the unionist people.

"The atmosphere now has improved enormously," he said. "Our challenge now and throughout the summer is to keep building that positive atmosphere and get to that table."