A Mixed Week For Political Progress In The North

Despite Several Setbacks, The Taoiseach Remains Optimistic

This past week has seen mixed progress on the road towards a restoration of devolved government in the North.

It began with the DUP withdrawing from the scheduled talks with Sinn Féin at the last minute, demanding that the likely Deputy First Minister first give an pledge of support for PSNI policing.

Expressing the disappointment of many with the postponement of the meeting, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said: "There was a lot of hope among people that today would see the political parties stepping into a new phase of this process."

He also reassured the members of his party that there would be no final decision on whether Sinn Féin would sign up to the St. Andrews Agreement until they had been consulted in a special Ard Fheis, though he did not specify when that would be held.

Martin McGuinness further expounded their position on Sunday, telling the BBC's Politics Show he would be happy to make a pledge, but that "It really will depend what is in that pledge.'

"We will have to see at the end of our process a very clear situation where a Sinn Fein Ard Fheis will take place.

"For Ian Paisley to expect me to sign up to anything, prior to the membership of Sinn Fein having a say in all of this, is quite ridiculous."

SDLP Expresses Anger

The SDLP meanwhile, expressed its disapproval over the pledge distractions claiming that the argument was preventing discussion of what they claim are major problems with the agreement itself.

According to an SDLP spokesman, the agreement as it stands would allow any three ministers to veto a decision by any other minister.

This would lead to gridlock in the legislature as the restored Assembly would end up spending all its time resolving such disputes.

The Ulster Unionists were also critical of their DUP rivals warning that they would not tolerate side deals between the two governments, Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Responding to these attacks, the DUP's Deputy Leader Peter Robinson retorted that: "I am in no doubt whatsoever that were the UUP still in unionism's driving seat that they would have been back in government with Sinn Fein already on the basis of the St Andrews Agreement," while his party would "wait to see whether or not republicans deliver in terms of committing to exclusively peaceful and democratic means and support for the rule of law."

Another Historic Meeting

There was progress though, with another historic meeting between religious and political leaders on Monday, this time between Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Archbishop Robin Eames, the head of the Anglican Church in Ireland.

Following the wide-ranging talks at Stormont, the Archbishop emerged to tell reporters that both parties were "anxious to see progress. We are anxious to see movement and above all else we want to see Northern Ireland at peace with itself," though he also warned that he "did stress to Sinn Féin the need to seek agreement on the way forward. It is for politicians to have the courage and convictions that we believe they were elected to show."

Ahern Optimistic

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was hopeful that all the parties would come to agreement before the November 24th deadline.

Speaking at the annual commemeration of Wolfe Tone in Bodenstown, Co. Kildare, the Taoiseach said "In 200 years, there has never been as much dialogue and interaction between all the significant political groupings on this island as there is today.

"Let me quote, perhaps for the first time at this commemoration, from Dr Ian Paisley.

"He said at St Andrews that we were at a crossroads. He spoke of a new light that could shine on our children and our grandchildren.

"We do not agree on everything, but we fully share those sentiments," he said.