Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams today pledged intensified efforts to reach out to the unionists as part of an effort to put the Northern Ireland peace process back on track.
After a 90-minute meeting in Dublin with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen, Mr Adams reported: "I intend over the next few days to make remarks which, I think, are part of our outreach to unionists, trying to meet their concerns and trying to explain that from a republican perspective, we understand their sensitivities."
The Dublin talks - also involving Sinn Fein chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness - also examined the extent of collusion in Northern Ireland between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries. It is believed the meeting also discussed claims British intelligence ran an agent known as "Stakeknife" in the top ranks of the IRA
Mr Adams said: "The lid needs to be lifted on this and truth needs to be disclosed. We need full disclosure on this part of our history."
The Sinn Féin chief also called on the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to challenge security elements and to shape them to "be on a peace footing."
For his part Mr Ahern pledged to continue working to advance the peace process, and Mr Cowen briefed the Sinn Féin leadership on his meeting this week in London with Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy.
PA