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| Paisley and Ahern in Boyne visit | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley and the Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern are to visit the historic site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. | |
| Mr Paisley said it would show "how far we have come when we can celebrate and learn from the past". | |
| He was speaking after talks with the taoiseach in Dublin when the pair shook hands publicly for the first time. | |
| Mr Paisley said he hoped "old suspicions and discord can be buried forever" through mutual co-operation. | |
| The Battle of the Boyne was fought between William of Orange and Catholic King James II in 1690. The Protestant Orange Order celebrate William's victory every year on 12 July. | |
| Mr Paisley said: "We both look forward to visiting the battle site at the Boyne, but not to re-fight it. I don't want Mr Ahern to have home advantage." | |
| He added: "As the leader of the unionist people, with Northern Ireland's place in the union secured, I believe it is important to engage with our closest neighbour from a position of mutual respect and with assured confidence. | |
| The annual 12 July celebrations mark the Battle of the Boyne | |
| "Today, we can confidently state that we are making progress to ensure that our two countries can develop and grow side by side in a spirit of generous co-operation. | |
| "Old barriers and threats have been, and are being, removed daily." | |
| Mr Ahern told the same news conference: "We stand ready to work with the new executive. | |
| "We promise sincere friendship and assured co-operation and I believe we can and we will work together in the interests of everybody on this island. | |
| "We look forward to our cooperation in the north south, and the east-west institutions and in all those areas where we can work together for mutual benefit." | |
| Earlier, Mr Paisley, accompanied by son Ian Paisley Jr, shook hands with the Irish premier, saying: "Good morning. I better shake hands with this man and give you a firm grip." | |
| Meanwhile, Irish foreign minister Dermot Ahern said the Northern Ireland parties had "grasped the opportunity of a lifetime" by agreeing to share power. | |
| However, he said much work remained to be done. | However, he said much work remained to be done. |
| Mr Paisley and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams announced at their first joint news conference last week that they agreed 8 May as the date to start power-sharing at Stormont. | Mr Paisley and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams announced at their first joint news conference last week that they agreed 8 May as the date to start power-sharing at Stormont. |
| Dermot Ahern said last week's meeting "saw a shift in the political paradigm of Northern Ireland". | Dermot Ahern said last week's meeting "saw a shift in the political paradigm of Northern Ireland". |
| "The parties grasped the opportunity of a lifetime and committed themselves to support and participate fully in a partnership government and in all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. | "The parties grasped the opportunity of a lifetime and committed themselves to support and participate fully in a partnership government and in all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. |
| "Restoration of the power-sharing institutions on 8 May, as now agreed by the parties, will mark major progress, but it will not be the end of the road." | "Restoration of the power-sharing institutions on 8 May, as now agreed by the parties, will mark major progress, but it will not be the end of the road." |