The Taoiseach last night put pressure on the IRA to take a further step towards arms decommissioning in advance of a meeting later this month of the Ulster Unionist Council, writes Denis Staunton.
Speaking in the French town of Biarritz, where he is attending a meeting of EU leaders, the Taoiseach acknowledged that a further inspection of arms dumps may not be adequate as a confidence building measure.
"I personally would like to see another inspection. That would be important. It would help the political atmosphere. And I'd like to see another engagement with de Chastelaine," he said.
The Taoiseach has discussed Northern Ireland with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, three times since the two men arrived at the French seaside resort on Thursday night.
They have agreed to meet in the Korean capital, Seoul, next week on the margins of a gathering of European and Asian leaders.