The Taoiseach yesterday praised the Alliance Party and the Women's Coalition for their "generous and courageous" step in redesignating some of their members as unionist, thus defending the Belfast Agreement.
In a statement congratulating Mr David Trimble and Mr Mark Durkan on their election as First and Deputy First Minister, Mr Ahern said it was important now to move ahead with the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement.
"Those who are determined to pursue the failed politics of the past will not succeed," he said. "They should know that time has moved on and there is no going back. Stable, uninterrupted and inclusive government is essential for Northern Ireland."
The Taoiseach applauded the efforts of the pro-agreement parties in coming together "to ensure that the challenge to the Good Friday agreement was successfully addressed".
He said the initiative of the Alliance Party and the Women's Coalition "will be acknowledged by all fair-minded people as a generous and courageous step taken for the best of reasons".
Mr Ahern paid tribute to Mr SΘamus Mallon, who did not offer himself for re-election as Deputy First Minister, making way for the new SDLP leader, Mr Durkan. "SΘamus Mallon, both as deputy leader of the SDLP and as Deputy First Minister, has been a courageous and dedicated builder of peace over many years in Northern Ireland. His contribution has been truly invaluable."