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Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was in defiant mood as he met with UK prime minister Tony Blair on Dec 11 1997 in what was the first visit by a Sinn Fein leader to Downing Street since 1921. The meeting is expected to have a great impact in northern Ireland's republican strongholds such as west Belfast. The Sinn Fein delegates included hardline members such as Siobhan O'Hanlon and Martin Ferris, both former convicted terrorists. Adams increased the meeting's potential for embarrassing Blair by praising a convicted IRA killer for escaping from the Maze prison.

Some progress has been made on talks on the future of Northern Ireland though the Unionist delegates do not acknowledge Sinn Fein's presence. Sinn Fein's president, Gerry Adams, appears to accept the possibility of a solution that does not involve a united Ireland, though he has not explicitly stated this. Ulster Unionist head, David Trimble, is enthusiastic about devolution which is likely to involve less independence than Scotland, but more than Wales.

The success of peace negotiations in Northern Ireland will depend largely on Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. This is why UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has devoted considerable attention to gaining Trimble's trust. Trimble is seeking a solution which would give Northern Ireland self-government within the UK. However, he would also be prepared to abandon the peace process if he feels that it would not win the approval of his supporters. Blair will find it extremely difficult to reconcile Trimble's stance with that of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

The restoration of a ceasefire in Northern Ireland by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has put pressure on the Ulster Unionists leader, David Trimble. Trimble risks opposition from unionists if he agrees to terms for talks, and wider criticism if he does not and thus appears to be the main obstacle for peace. The United Kingdom prime minister, Tony Blair, also risks accusations of having been too eager to answer Sinn Fein's concerns. There is less euphoria at the ceasefire in 1997 compared with the 1994 ceasefire.

Mo Mowlam is the new Northern Ireland secretary, a role that is not popular with United Kingdom politicians. She is seen as having brought informality and candour to the post, and as having made mistakes. These include a decision to permit a march in a Roman Catholic area of Portadown, Northern Ireland, by the Protestant Orange Order. A promise to inform the residents of the estate beforehand was broken. She admits that errors were made, but has persuaded the Orange Order to modify its plans for further marches.

The Mar. 12, 1997, Anglo-Irish summit marked the last set-piece event for Sir Patrick Mayhew, UK secretary for Northern Ireland, who will step down as an MP at the forthcoming general election. Mayhew's five-year term in this thankless and difficult post is widely regarded as mixed, especially since at one time or another he has antagonised most interest groups linked to Ulster. However, he has won praise for his determination, patience and integrity.

The peace process in Northern Ireland is being maintained by politicians despite the near-collapse of the multi-party talks when first initiated in June 1996. Compromises must be made by all politicians to allow the talks to progress, although Unionists are by tradition strongly opposed to giving concessions. The Unionists initially refused to allow the peace talks to proceed because of their distrust of US Northern Ireland envoy George Mitchell as they believed him to be biased, but they were eventually persuaded to allow him to stay.

United Kingdom Labour Party leader Tony Blair would maintain the existing fundamental principles of the Anglo-Irish peace process if he were elected Prime Minister. The Labour Party's Northern Ireland Secretary Marjorie Mowlam has maintained a bipartisan stance with the Government, unlike the previous Northern Ireland spokesman Kevin McNamara who appeared more supportive of Irish nationalists. Mowlem has built a good relationship with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Patrick Mayhew.

Events in Northern Ireland in Jul 1996 have led to concern over possibilities for peace. Street battles have occurred and Republican bombings have started again in Northern Ireland. Doubts have grown about the UK government's ability to make progress on Northern Ireland. The government has appeared to be more concerned with tactics than strategy. The government will attempt to revive the peace process but the prognosis is not hopeful.

Hugh Annesley is chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland, which has been involved in a dispute over a march by the Orange order. The Protestant order sought to parade in a Catholic neighbourhood, and the RUC initially banned the march. The march was then permitted after protests from Protestants and Catholic inhabitants were forced to stay off the streets in their neighbourhood. Annesley has been criticised by both sides for these decisions.

A bomb attack in Manchester, England, has led to despair about the future of the peace process in Northern Ireland. A previous bombing in London, England, ended the ceasefire of the Irish Republican Army, but there was hope that it was an isolated incident. There is less hope following the bombing in Manchester. The Irish government plans to meet to assess its relationship with Sinn Fein. Neither the UK not Ireland is proposing a resumption of talks with Sinn Fein following the bombing.