The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said yesterday he does not see the point in establishing a public inquiry into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings in this jurisdiction.
Speaking to journalists after a wreath-laying ceremony in Dublin to mark the 30th anniversary of the atrocity, he said he had been dealing with the relatives and survivors of the bombs for the past 27 years.
Four bombs, in Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street in Dublin and in Monaghan, killed 34 people on May 17th, 1974.
"A public inquiry called in this jurisdiction that can compel no information from the British government or from the NIO [Northern Ireland Office] or any of the likely people to have information - what would you be investigating? It would be like talking to a group of ourselves. So that's not good enough."
Mr Ahern said he would like to see a public inquiry established in Northern Ireland.
Yesterday's ceremony was held at the memorial monument to the victims of the bombings in Talbot Street. Wreaths were laid by relatives from each of the victim's families who were led in prayer by the chaplain of the Justice for the Forgotten group, Father Thomas Clowe.
The chairwoman of the group, Ms Bernice McNally, said the whole truth behind the bombings must come out this year. She reiterated the group's call for a full public inquiry into the bombings and said there remained "unfinished business".
"The Joint Oireachtas Committee report was published almost seven weeks ago and it still has not been debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas."
She said the Taoiseach must ensure the co-operation of the British prime minister in any future inquiry. Relatives and survivors of the bombings wanted the whole truth to come out.
"It must happen this year. It must happen in this the year of the 30th anniversary."
She said she was glad and surprised to see the Taoiseach at the ceremony, though she added, "It's election season, so that probably explains it".
"But it is up to the Taoiseach to put pressure on the British to co-operate with a full public inquiry.
"These bits and pieces of inquiries are throwing up more questions than answers. This is a human rights issue. We need a full human rights-based inquiry,"she said.