Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, has accused the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, of "talking nonsense" when he said yesterday IRA activity was the only obstacle to political progress.
Speaking after a Sinn Féin delegation met Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, in Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, Mr McGuinness said: "Paul Murphy was left with no illusions about the huge anger within the nationalist and republican community at the current mishandling of the situation by the two governments.
"Mr Blair's comments yesterday that the only obstacle to a comprehensive agreement was the IRA were silly because this is patently not the case.
"Unionism has not demonstrated that it will share power with nationalists and republicans," said Mr McGuinness.
Mr Blair said after meeting the Taoiseach in London yesterday: "The obstacle now to a lasting and durable settlement in Northern Ireland is the continuing paramilitary activity and criminal activity of the IRA".
"It has got to stop. It has got to stop in its entirety. There cannot be any compromise with that. "If it is given up the process can move forward on an inclusive basis," he said.
Both Mr Blair and Mr Ahern confirmed they had been briefed by Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Ord and Garda commissioner Noel Conroy, on their belief that the IRA carried out the £26.5million Northern Bank robbery in Belfast in December.
The Sinn Féin's delegation meeting Mr Murphy today included West Tyrone MP Mr Pat Doherty, South Down MLA Ms Catriona Ruane and Meath by-election candidate Mr Joe Reilly.