Tony Blair has met with his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern in the latest attempt to get progress in Northern Ireland's peace process.

The Irish taoiseach was in London for talks with the prime minister at Number 10 for what was described as a "stock-taking meeting before the summer".

They met against a backdrop of increasing divisions among unionists and the start of several key marches in Northern Ireland which have in the past proved to be flashpoints.

"As we said at the time of the postponement of the elections, there will need to be work done to establish the necessary confidence to move forward,'' said the official spokesman.

"You can expect the prime minister and taoiseach, after the pause that there has been, to be looking at how we can move forward on all of the different issues. Everyone understands what the difficulties and challenges are - it's a question of how we move forward.''

Whilst the government still hopes to hold the postponed elections this autumn for the Northern Ireland assembly the meeting is expected to "review the situation".

The recent split in unionism - with the UUP suspending three of its MPs - has reduced the likelihood of a fresh round of Stormont elections.

And this weekend the Orange Order holds its traditional march and service at Drumcree which has proved a focus for unionist and republican rivalry.

Ahead of the meeting Ahern signalled that his government had not lost faith in the peace process.

"We are working tirelessly for lasting peace in Northern Ireland. And despite the obstacles, we will continue to work everyday for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

"This is the historic challenge of our generation and in the end, with persistence and determination, we will meet that challenge, and achieve a peaceful, a just and a lasting settlement."