MacGill Summer School: The Minister for Foreign Affairs has stated implicitly that elections will have to be called in the North before all sides engage in acts of completion.
Repeating the Government's call for early elections to the Northern Assembly, Mr Cowen said an election would provide the "necessary dynamic" to facilitate acts of completion.
Addressing the MacGill Summer School in the Glenties in Co Donegal last night, Mr Cowen said: "Our thinking on this matter is based on our conviction that a decision on elections would fundamentally change the overall context in which acts of completion, on all sides, are sought and obtained".
Such acts of completion include decommissioning by the IRA, the participation of unionists in the power-sharing Executive and demilitarisation by the British government.
In a speech marking the achievements of the former SDLP leader Mr John Hume, he added: "The two governments have set out clearly and comprehensively in the Joint Declaration what we are prepared to do in fulfilment of our obligations to see the agreement implemented. Others must fulfil theirs. But if we are all to succeed, and in particular if the necessary dynamic is to be injected into the process, it is essential to schedule early Assembly elections."
Stating that all participants in the peace process required fresh legitimisation at a crucial point in the process, he said only a democratic act could provide such legitimisation.
Mr Cowen added: "If the transition to exclusively democratic politics can be secured, the guarantee of the full implementation of the agreement, as set out by both governments in the Joint Declaration, with the time-frame to demilitarise and normalise the situation, will be available to all. I believe that people can be entrust to have sufficient discernment and wisdom to back such an arrangement."
Elections were the only alternative to continued stalemate in the North and a "steady leaching away of optimism", he said.
"Once a date is fixed for elections, there will be an immediate responsibility on the parties to show clearly that they are prepared to address the lack of trust that exists.
"We insist that those with such responsibility will be proactive in addressing the deficit of trust in the run up to the elections. This is essential if the electorate is to be satisfied that those parties which support the agreement are truly committed to resolving the outstanding issues."
Addressing republicans, Mr Cowen said: "I strongly believe, for example, that as soon as possible, and certainly in the working out of acts of completion, republicans too should take the steps needed to support the PSNI and to encourage members of their community to work in it."
Also addressing the summer school, the Tánaiste said the disbandment of paramilitary groups would be the most significant step yet taken in Irish politics.
Ms Harney said "some of what passes for current affairs comment is a trivialisation of political life. This isn't just about the intrusion into people's private lives. It also treats our political choices as a Punch and Judy show, the 'who's up, who's down, who's in, who's out' type of commentary."