The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, and the party's Northern Ireland spokesman, Mr Brian Hayes, began a two-day visit to Belfast by meeting the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, at Hillsborough Castle last night.
Before the meeting, Mr Hayes said the North's political parties had to help each other out of the impasse. He also urged republican paramilitaries to re-engage with the de Chastelain commission. Mr Bruton and Mr Hayes are to hold talks today with the leaders of the North's pro-agreement parties and meet the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
