The Taoiseach yesterday described the sectarian violence on Ardoyne Road in Belfast as "deplorable and shameful". Mr Ahern said every child had the right to go to school in peace and safety, free from abuse and sectarian hatred.
"I join with all those who, in the last 48 hours, have called for an early resolution of this deplorable and shameful situation. If there are grievances this is not the way to solve them."
However, Mr Ahern said he did not believe the peace process was "going off the rails".
"It is quite clear that whenever there is any vacuum, whenever there is difficulty in the institutions or a lack of progress in the institutions, then it turns on to the streets. That's precisely what is happening here again," he said.
"What is deplorable and most regrettable on this occasion is that it is being used on innocent children. There is no doubt about it, they will be left with lasting memories and what a horrible memory to be left with." He said there must be urgent talks at local level and the "voices of moderation" must be heard and listened to.
"Initially we have got to get some confidence and trust at the local level. It seems from all that I've been briefed on it over the last number of months that there are particularly local difficulties in the Ardoyne area and we have to try to get some understanding between the community leaders in the area."
"Urgent and determined dialogue" was needed between all the political parties to achieve full implementation of the Belfast Agreement.
"On the bigger picture, I think what the two governments can do with the pro-agreement parties and the other parties generally, is to try and get the focus back on the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement."
He said he had spoken about the situation with the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, on Monday. "We have again commenced our efforts with the parties to try to make progress at official level."
Mr Ahern said nothing should be said to inflame the situation or to "pinpoint, who's who in it" but instead to find a way of getting dialogue that de-escalates the situation.