Northern Ireland's peace process will be reviewed at the end of the month.

Ireland's prime minister, Bertie Ahern, confirmed on Friday that the long-awaited review of the Good Friday Agreement will start on January 29.

The taoseach predicted that the negotiations, which will consider what progress as been made, would last beyond Easter and is likely to be interrupted by European parliament elections

London and Dublin are discussing how the review will work and Northern Ireland secretary Paul Murphy will meet Irish foreign minister Brian Cowen later this month to finalise details.

"It is my view that the review should meet formally two days a week," Ahern said.The revelation came after a meeting between the Irish prime minister and Alliance Party leader David Ford.

Ford claimed both governments were hoping the review would be kept short to avoid it being de-railed by anti-agreement parties.

"The target appears to be two or three months," Mr Ford said.

"However there is a recognition that given the amount of work which will have to be done it could take longer."