The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern has said the release of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe will not be released while he remains in office.
In a move that marks a significant shift in Government thinking on the matter Mr Ahern told local radio station Limerick Live 95FM that the issue of any possible early release was now closed and it would not arise again "on his watch".
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern who today ruled out the early realease of the killers of garda Jerry McCabe
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who said the early release of the kilers of Det Jerry McCabe would not happen
The comments appear to signal a hardening of the Government's position on the issue in the wake of claims the IRA was behind the Belfast bank robbery and that senior republicans were involved in the killing of Robert McCartney.
Last December Mr Ahern told the Dáil he would recommend that the release of the Provisional IRA killers be put on the agenda if a comprehensive deal for the North emerged.
At the time the widow of Det Garda McCabe said it is unjust of Sinn Féin and the IRA to hold her hostage and make out she is standing in the way of the peace process and Opposition parties accused the Government of betraying promises to the McCabe family.
Mr Ahern was in Limerick to attend a retirement party for former Munster MEP Gerry Collins.
However, today he said "I've made it clear that the question of the early release of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe's is no longer on the table and I've said that I don't see it coming back on the table."
"I attempted to try to resolve it as part of the comprehensive deal but the situation has changed utterly now and whatever negotiations we have in the next round of discussions - and hopefully we do have - it won't be part of those discussions," he added.
Responding to Mr Ahern's comments Detective McCabe's widow, Ann, said she was very glad the Taoiseach had finally given his commitment and said the issue will never be back on the agenda.
She also extended her sympathy to the family of Mr McCartney.