The Taoiseach Mr Ahern tonight revealed an inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings was making considerable progress in investigating the atrocity.
As he confirmed the Commission of Investigation headed by Patrick MacEntee SC had been granted until the end of May to complete its report, Mr Ahern said it was vital the inquiry was given the time it required.
"It is clear from Mr MacEntee's third interim report that he has made considerable progress in addressing the various issues in his terms of reference. It is equally clear that the Commission of Investigation requires more time to pursue specific inquiries as there remain important opportunities to advance the investigation that might otherwise be lost," Mr Ahern said.
"It is, of course, unfortunate that the victims and survivors of these terrible atrocities will have to wait a further period before the final report is available. However, I believe they will agree on the importance of Mr MacEntee being allowed sufficient time to pursue any lines of inquiry that he deems relevant."
The Commission of Investigation into the 1974 bombings, which killed 33 people and one unborn child, requested a further extension. In the last few months it has been approached with new information to aid its inquiry. Relatives of those killed in the three car bombs in Dublin and one in Monaghan are hopeful any new source of information could boost their search for justice.
The commission was set up last May to investigate why the original garda investigation was wound down, why officers did not follow-up certain leads, how documents relating to the case went missing and whether there were appropriate systems in place to prevent such papers going missing again.
It was charged to build upon the investigative work already done and present a final report to the Taoiseach within six months, although that timeframe has been extended until May.a