The British government's plan to hold a limited inquiry into the killing of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane is "not satisfactory", Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has warned.
Under the Inquiries Bill due to go before the House of Commons next week, the British government would have powers to order an inquiry to hear evidence in private, and to bar the production of some evidence altogether.
The issue has caused tensions between the governments, though officials from both sides are to meet in London tomorrow in an effort to resolve differences.
Speaking yesterday after he met Mr Finucane's widow, Geraldine and two of her sons, Michael and Martin, the Taoiseach said the British proposals "are not in line or in tandem" with the recommendations made by the Canadian judge, Peter Cory, or the 2001 Weston Park agreement.
"It is not satisfactory to the Irish Government and it certainly is not satisfactory to the Finucane family," Mr Ahern said.
The officials' meeting tomorrow would attempt to "see if we can get an agreed basis", he said: "[ But] I am not sure that that is possible." The House of Lords has already passed the Inquiries Bill, without substantial change, and the legislation will begin its passage in the House of Commons on Tuesday next.
The Taoiseach has twice objected directly to British prime minister Tony Blair about the British refusal to hold a full public inquiry into the killing.
A US Congressional hearing, chaired by Congressman Chris Smith, will take place in Washington next Wednesday into the killing of Mr Finucane at the hands of the UDA.
