The Dail and the House of Commons are to be recalled on the same day next week to enact new measures to curb paramilitaries. This will open the way for an unprecedented joint Anglo-Irish crackdown on republican dissidents, such as the `Real IRA' and any others who may remain active.
On a visit yesterday to Omagh, the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, described those responsible for the attack as "outcasts from the community".
He said Parliament was being recalled next Wednesday and Thursday, following legal advice that primary legislation was required to ensure the new security measures were "watertight" and safe from legal challenge.
The principal new security measure proposed is a change in the law to allow the use of evidence from a senior police officer to help secure convictions for membership of proscribed organisations.
It will also be possible to draw an inference of guilt from a suspect's refusal to answer relevant questions during interrogation. Mr Blair pointed out that these new measures "will mirror closely those that are to be passed in the Irish Republic".
The Sinn Fein Assembly Member and chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, said the proposed changes were a "retrograde step" and many people would see them as an attempt to introduce "internment under another guise".
After meeting Mr Blair, Mr McGuinness said: "We made it clear that these measures are unacceptable. The way forward is through political leaders gelling together and talking together. They must respond to the very clear mood that is out there and that is for political dialogue."
However, the Ulster Unionist MP for West Tyrone, Mr Willie Thompson, said the measures were too little, too late. He welcomed some changes but expressed regret that the power of internment was not being restored to the statute book.
Mr Blair said in Omagh that he knew and understood "only too well" what little consolation new security measures, and even political progress, could be for the victims of the Omagh blast. "But because I believe it is right and because in some ways we can make a difference, I think it is right to address these issues."
The British and Irish governments were working more closely than ever before. "We work in step one with the other and that is a big and welcome change from the past," he said.
"Secondly we know that we are dealing now with groups prepared to carry out outrages such as this who have no political support, no base, no votes, no representation in any part of the community. They are in a real sense, in the whole of the island of Ireland, outcasts from the community and people rightly expect that we will take whatever measures we can, properly and legitimately, to bring those responsible to justice.
"These circumstances offer us the opportunity to take action provided that it is clearly defined, properly thought out and will actually improve the efficiency of the measures we can take against terrorism."
This was Mr Blair's first visit to Omagh since the August 15th blast in which 28 people as well as two unborn children were killed and 220 others injured.
He said the reconvening of Parliament six weeks ahead of schedule would be used to put through a further piece of legislation that had been prepared some time ago outlawing conspiracy within the United Kingdom to commit terrorist acts abroad. This is thought to refer to a wide range of terrorist groups and follows representations from a variety of foreign states.
Mr Blair said there were "other matters in respect of the admissibility of evidence" which were still being discussed with government lawyers and others. "Some of these originate in suggestions that have been made to us within the last 24 hours by the Chief Constable of the RUC."
On the release of prisoners, Mr Blair pointed out that this provision did not apply to any act committed after the date the Belfast Agreement was concluded on April 10th. Also the release of prisoners was subject to detailed procedures requiring individual consideration by the relevant bodies and authorities.
Mr Blair later went to Stormont to meet political leaders, including the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon.
Today, the Prime Minister will cross the Border for talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, at Ashford Castle.