Dublin reaction: The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, expressed concern yesterday that the Provisional IRA was planning the £26.5 million Northern Bank raid when he was conducting political negotiations with Sinn Féin.
Mr Ahern will speak this weekend with his British counterpart, Mr Tony Blair, after the PSNI chief constable, Mr Hugh Orde, said he believed the IRA was responsible for the robbery.
The two leaders are also expected to meet in the next fortnight.
Yesterday, Mr Ahern made a point of saying his greatest concern was that an operation of this magnitude was "obviously being planned at a stage when I was in negotiations with those that would know the leadership of the Provisional movement".
"The thought that when we were trying to negotiate a comprehensive deal that others, and perhaps others who were closely associated, were getting ready to have one of the biggest Christmas robberies that ever took place does nothing to help anybody's confidence," Mr Ahern said.
"This makes it difficult because it damages the levels of trust and confidence that we are trying to develop."
The Taoiseach said the implication of IRA involvement in the robbery was a major setback for the peace process.
He said the Government was obliged to accept Mr Orde's finding and said the chief constable was doing a good job and was an even-handed leader.
"He has been implementing the Patten reforms in a very constructive way and we've been working very closely with him and the Garda Síochána have worked very closely with him," he said.
Regardless of the final outcome to the investigation, Mr Ahern said in a statement that the attribution of the robbery to the IRA was "corrosive of the public confidence" that the Government had been seeking to create.
"It underscores the need for compelling commitments - both in word and deed - that the full spectrum of IRA paramilitary activities and capability has been brought to a definitive close," he said.
"This must include the necessary assurance in regard to all forms of criminal activity, which, following the Northern Bank robbery, clearly remains a major concern."
Mr Orde's statement led the Labour leader, Mr Rabbitte, to claim that the Republican movement had hoodwinked the Irish and British governments in the political talks.
Mr Rabbitte said Mr Orde's disclosure added to the significance of the IRA's refusal before Christmas to give an unequivocal commitment that its members would not engage in crime.
Senator Brian Hayes of Fine Gael called on the Government to withdraw its offer to release the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe in return for a comprehensive settlement.
The Green chief whip, Mr Dan Boyle, said the disclosure raised fundamental questions about the Republican movement but said there was an onus on Mr Orde and the PSNI to provide evidence and prosecute those involved in robbery.
While Mr Ahern said the development was very disappointing, he told reporters he would not stop his efforts to bring about a settlement in the North.
