The Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, yesterday called on the Irish and British governments to promote the outstanding issues of the Belfast Agreement and focus on the peace process.
Speaking in Dublin yesterday ahead of a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, at Government Buildings, Mr Adams said they would be discussing many issues.
There were many to focus on, whether they be the threat of war in Iraq, the upcoming Nice referendum or other domestic issues.
"But there is a need to focus on the peace process and the Good Friday agreement and for the Government in partnership with the British government to promote that agreement," he said.
There were reports of a loyalist attack on three young Catholic men in Belfast on Saturday, of another drive-by shooting in the west of the city over the weekend and yet another meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party Council.
"What's the answer to all of this? The answer has to be that the two governments should take a course forward and tackle all the outstanding issues about the Good Friday agreement and for the British government to be reminded of its responsibilities to bring about change," he said.
Mr Adams was asked about the GAA and the "Bertie Bowl". He said Sinn Féin favoured centres of sporting excellence and so were for the idea of a stadium. It saw, however, it was too ambitious. If there was going to be a stadium, it should be a people's stadium under public authorities.
"The GAA's responsibility is to support and to promote Gaelic sports, not to use all its money to put other sports first," he said. "So I think Armagh should beat Fermanagh." Mr Adams laughed when a reporter pointed out that Armagh would be playing Kerry in the All-Ireland final.
He was asked about a remark he made about meeting the new Chief Constable, Mr Hugh Orde, and if this was a change in Sinn Féin policy. Mr Adams said it was not.
"No, I was dealing with the principle as I thought it was important for someone who argues for dialogue, who argues for conversations, for meetings with people, for hand-shakes. On principle, I have no problem with meeting him but at the same time I've pointed out that I have no plans to meet him at this time."
Sinn Féin feared nothing from the appointment of a ceasefire monitor, he said. Mr John Reid, the NI Secretary, had said people had a right to know. If that was the case then let us hear about the Finucane case, and the Dublin/Monaghan bombings, and the litany of killings, Mr Adams continued.