The Sinn Féin Ardfheis opened in Dublin last night with criticism of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, from leading party figures.
As he arrived at the conference the party leader, Mr Gerry Adams, described the Taoiseach's assertion this week that he always believed Mr Adams had been a member of the IRA as "silly remarks". He suggested that parties previously supportive of Sinn Féin's peace process moves were now focused on a "narrow political interest", namely the forthcoming local and European
elections.
Developing the theme in his address in the RDS the party's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, said other groups were in "panic-stricken mode about the prospect of huge Sinn Féin gains" in the elections.
He demanded speaking rights in the Oireachtas for Northern MPs and members of the Assembly, adding: "I should not have to ask Bertie Ahern or the Irish Government, or any of the opposition parties more than once, for my rights and the rights of the people I represent to attend debates in Leinster
House."
Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, the Cavan-Monaghan TD, accused Mr Ahern of playing a long game on the issue. He said the issue "has become victim to the obfuscation and procrastination which is typical of this Taoiseach and of Fianna Fáil."
Meanwhile the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, faces a fresh challenge to his leadership following a call by a party MP for him to step down.
Mr David Burnside said Mr Trimble had lost the confidence and trust of the majority of the Ulster Unionist Party membership.
"He is perceived to have failed to deliver for unionism. He is blamed by the majority of unionists for abandoning the UUP's pledge of 'no guns, no government', and for failing to protect the proud title of the RUC.
"The vast majority of unionist voters also have no confidence in him as a negotiator. They also see him as having become totally detached from unionist grassroots opinion," Mr Burnside said.
His comments appear designed to encourage another senior party member, possibly Sir Reg Empey, to stand against Mr Trimble at the March 27th meeting.
Mr Trimble responded that he intended to seek re-election as leader by the party's ruling body when it meets next month. Through a spokesman, he said he considered it his duty to stand, and he would abide by the decision of the party.