DUP calls for closer north-south union
Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has called for a closer union between northern and southern Ireland.
On Thursday, the veteran leader held a two-hour meeting with Irish taioseach, Bertie Ahern, at Government Buildings in Dublin.
The meeting had it own historic proportions as it was the first time the unionist leader crossed the border for political talks.
Dr Paisley was accompanied by deputy Peter Robinson and two officials on the trip to Dublin.
Dr Paisley said the meeting was “a useful exchange of views”.
The meeting comes after all-party talks at Leeds Castle ended last month in stalemate.
“We are working towards a settlement for all the people of Northern Ireland and in so doing we wish to build a relationship with our neighbours that is practically based rather than politically motivated,” Dr Paisley said after the meeting.
Dr Paisley said there was nothing to fear from an “accountable North/South relationship of equal partnerships”.
But Dr Paisley reiterated the DUP’s demand that the IRA must relinquish its weapons before any deal could be done with Sinn Fein.
Mr Ahern said a “new relationship” had emerged between Dublin and the DUP.
Mr Ahern said the DUP had made it “absolutely clear” that there was no intention of trying to change to fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement.
Sinn Fein insists the principles of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement should not be changed.
Senior Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey said the DUP was taking steps to enter the “real world” by meeting Mr Ahern in Dublin.
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has called on the DUP to talk directly to Sinn Fein.
