The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has moved to quash rumours of a division between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats over PD support for a deal on the restoration of devolution for the North.
The Progressive Democrats have said that IRA agreement not to engage in future criminal activity was the "key issue" for it, and that without the required IRA commitment the PDs would not support any deal.
Speaking in an RTÉ radio interview this afternoon, Mr Ahern said he wanted to make it "absolutely clear" there was "no difference between the PDs and the FF party on this" and added that the Government was "totally united" on the matter.
The Taoiseach said the IRA were "past masters at seeking clarity but now must give a clear indication that they would end criminal activity."
He said the Government was not trying to be overly difficult on the matter but said he would discuss the matter with Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams when they meet tomorrow.
On the issue of the release of the killers of Det garda Jerry McCabe, he said Mr Adams' assertion that the Government had given him an understanding in 1998 that they would be released was 'not correct.'
He said he had, in his possession, a hand-written document of what was agreed in 1998 and that the McCabe killers' release had been excluded.
He said the release of the McCabe killers had only been discussed since the spring of 2003 and that their release was possible only in the context of a comprehensive agreement.
He said he was sorry for the hurt suffered by the McCabe family and said that he had released 57 prisoners under the Belfast agreement, including a number of people who had been convicted of the murder of a garda.
Mr Ahern also accused Fine Gael and Labour of succumbing to party politics on the matter over the last couple of weeks.
He said the parties knew how sensitive the situation was and their requests for publication of Government papers on the matter was 'not helpful' and that nobody in the North or Britain have been asking for the publication of documents.
