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The deteriorating security position in Belfast was assessed in Dublin tonight by the Taoiseach Mr Ahern and Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams. The meeting - requested by Sinn Féin after a weekend meeting of their policy-directing executive to urge the need for a review of progress towards implementing the Belfast Agreement - went ahead as Mr Ahern planned for discussions with British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair in Belfast later this week.
Mr Adams said the exchanges would have an obvious impact on the Thursday's meeting involving the two governments and the pro-Northern Ireland agreement parties.
Mr Ahern looked forward to advances being made during what he called an important series of meetings on Northern Ireland over the next few days.
"For whatever reason, there are escalating tensions on the ground and in the communities, which are worrying. "We have to do our best. It is a difficult time and worrying."
Mr Adams said it was essential that both the Irish and British governments - as the senior partners in the peace accord - "do not bend themselves in any way except to see the full implementation of this Agreement".
Earlier the Sinn Féin President said that some elements of the British forces were tolerant of the violence seen in recent days in the North.
Speaking on the steps of Government Buildings before meeting the Taoiseach, Mr Adams said: "I think it is of crucial importance at this time that the totally intolerable situation in what I refer to as interface areas ends.
He accused some elements of the British forces of conniving with the situation or at least being tolerant of it.
He appealed "to everyone regardless of their political position who is annoyed, frustrated, agitated by what is happening at the moment across all political factions to stay calm and desist from anything which could add to tension".
The North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, also called for calm on the streets of Northern Ireland.
As loyalists brought in mediators in a bid to ease tensions at peacelines in Belfast, the Stormont First minister urged marchers not to be drawn into conflict.
Mr Adams also called on the British and Irish Governments as the two senior partners in the Belfast agreement "not to bend themselves in anyway except to see the full implementation of the agreement".
He added that there was no crisis in the Peace Process but there was a crisis is in Unionism. "I don't underestimate that, but it should not be allowed to affect the political institutions. Mr Trimble's job as First Minister is stop that crisis from contaminating the political institutions," said Mr Adams.
Additional reporting:- PA