Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has warned that a split in the republican movement arising from the IRA's expected statement later this month would be extremely unhelpful for the Northern Ireland peace process.
Mr Ahern said yesterday that the content of the IRA's statement was more important than its timing, but he expected it before August. "If it goes longer than that it won't be good for the process," he said.
"It wouldn't be the end of the world but it would certainly help us if we get the statement."
He agreed with former mediator in the peace process Fr Alex Reid, who warned recently of the danger posed by IRA hardliners opposed to ending violence. Fr Reid said last week: "If the IRA disbands, you run the risk of creating splits - many more Real IRAs."
Mr Ahern told the Dublin radio station Newstalk: "We don't want to splinter the republican movement into 10 pieces because that certainly wouldn't help the process.
"The peace project we're trying to achieve is the end of paramilitarism and criminality, deal- ing with decommissioning and moving to a totally peaceful mode with the Provisional IRA. That is why we have been so patient in bringing an end to all of these issues."
The Irish and British governments have continued contacts with each other and with the Northern political parties as they await the IRA statement. Today an SDLP delegation led by Mark Durkan will meet Government Ministers in Dublin to discuss North/South developments.
They will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche and Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey.
The party's senior negotiator Seán Farren said yesterday: "The SDLP wants to get the North-South agenda up and running, so that we can all get the benefits of an all-Ireland economy and a share of the wealth that an all-Ireland economic strategy can create."
In Dublin yesterday, former US congressman Bruce Morrison said: "Everybody is asking for a clear statement they [ IRA] will stand down as a military army and pursue their republican ideals through the political process. They must also cease from engaging in criminal or anti-social behaviour."
A definitive statement from the IRA would encourage unionists to embrace power-sharing with Sinn Féin, Mr Morrison suggested.
"I cannot speak for the unionist community, but if unionist politicians want to become involved in the government of Northern Ireland, they need to find a way to engage in the wider political representation process."