The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, last night called on both the Irish and British governments to "stand together" in this crisis. "They are the guardians of democracy. They must speak plainly," he said.
Mr Bruton said the two governments must also allow a new space to allow all participants to make really explicit commitments to one another on issues that were up to now ambiguous.
"That is the way to rebuild trust and put the Belfast Agreement on a solid foundation," he added.
The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said no stone should now be left unturned to ensure the Belfast Agreement survived. He called for a statement from the republican movement committing it to decommissioning by May 2000.
He said last night's House of Commons announcement by the Northern Secretary meant that efforts to sustain the peace process could continue.
He pleaded for efforts to resolve the gulf separating unionists and republicans to continue.
Mr Quinn said the meeting last night between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister was important and he welcomed indications from Government circles that Mr Ahern was in a position to report progress following his discussions yesterday with republicans.
"No stone should be left unturned in our efforts to ensure that the agreement endorsed by the Irish people, North and South, is implemented.
"That agreement requires decommissioning by May 2000. A statement from the republican movement committing themselves to that goal would represent considerable progress and would be in accordance with Gen de Chastelain's report in December," Mr Quinn added.