There is no alternative to the Belfast Agreement and both the Irish and British governments are "convinced of its inescapable logic" the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
Addressing a conference on Implementing the Agreement at the Institute for British-Irish studies this morning, Mr Ahern made a thinly veiled rebuff to a call for the Democratic Unionist Party's desire to scrap the Agreement.
"I believe that the vast majority of the people on this island know that we have in the Agreement something that is unique and must be protected and preserved."
Mr Ahern said there was no interest in anything less than the Agreement because "nothing less will work".
"All energies must be concentrated on the big picture - on the full implementation, as soon as possible, of all aspects of the Agreement, including the definitive closure of paramilitarism."
The Taoiseach said he was looking for a clear and decisive response from the IRA to calls from Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to embrace politics,
He said an unambiguous statement that all republicans would pursue their goals through political means would drive the peace process forward. But he warned a commitment to democracy had to be put into practice at grass roots level.
Mr Ahern said: "I hope that this response will be translated into clear reality on the ground. If this happens, then we will expect unionists to fully participate in partnership and inclusive politics."
Mr Ahern said he was certain that a comprehensive debate was under way involving all members of the IRA. "That is a good thing. That engagement including all members and activists of republicanism is what can at last help us to come to finality if it is a positive response," he said.
While the Taoiseach said he believed a statement could come during the summer, he refused to put a deadline on it.
"I have avoided through all this process putting a deadline on it," he said. "But I hope it is positive, I hope it is conclusive and I hope there is no ambiguity about it."
Mr Ahern also said the Government was contributing almost 70 per cent of the funding for the North/South bodies which this year would cost €179.3 million.
He said the Implementation bodies now directly employ seven hundred people.
Reacting to Mr Ahern's speech later, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said both governments had an obligation to implement the Agreement "which goes beyond simply committing to it".
"There is absolutely no reason why many outstanding aspects of the Agreement which have to do with people's rights and entitlements should be made conditional on what the IRA does or upon the attitude of unionist parties.
"These are after all modest entitlements and are part of an international treaty.
"Sinn Fein are committed to seeing progress made. But all other parties and especially the two governments also need to display the necessary political will to see forward movement in the time ahead."