Dáil debate on Northern Ireland:Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, attacked the Taoiseach in the Dáil today saying Mr Ahern's "side deal" with Sinn Féin had undermined his office and "broken his word to the Irish people" over the release of the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe.
Mr Kenny said he had received "no briefing of any description" from the Government on Northern Ireland issues for over 14 months.
He said that when he did receive briefings during 2003, the Taoiseach's plan to release the "common criminals" who killed Det McCabe was never mentioned.
He said the Government could count on Fine Gael's continued support for its effort to secure a final settlement, but added: "Do not ask us to write a blank cheque or expect us to give retrospective approval to secret deals."
He added: "Do not expect this party to remain silent when the institutions of this State need to be defended from forces which have never shown any allegiance to the State."
Speaking during a two-hour special debate on Northern Ireland, Mr Kenny also called on the DUP to engage directly with Sinn Féin in the current talks aimed at restoring power sharing.
"I believe that a proper understanding on the remaining issues can only be effectively thrashed out directly between the parties involved," he said.
However, Mr Kenny criticised DUP leader Dr Paisley's recent "sackcloth and ashes" speech in Ballymena, saying it had "no place in an era in which we are seeking a historic settlement between the divided communities of Northern Ireland."
The Fine Gael leader also said it was crucial for other Northern political parties to be more involve in the talks, "particularly those pertaining to any changes in the operation of the Agreement."
The Labour party leader Mr Pat Rabbitte warned that the process had become more exclusive.
"I believe it to be an unfortunate and potentially dangerous fact that latterly, the process has become more and more exclusive," he said.
Mr Rabbitte said too little trust exists in Northern Ireland and he said the root cause of the distrust was "the use of violence and the pursuit of undemocratic means."
"When one traces the difficulties of recent years, they all go back to that one source, the difficulty of establishing an adherence to exclusively democratic means," he added.
Mr Rabbitte also hit out at Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil when he said that he and the Fine Gael leader had been subject to unfair accusations following their questions about the release of Det McCabe's killers.
"Such accusations, whether made against Deputy Kenny, myself, or other members of the House, amount to no more than attempted political blackmail. They are an attempt, in effect, to prevent the opposition doing the job it is required to do in a democracy.
Sinn Féin's Mr Caoimhghín Ó'Caoláin said that nobody should lose sight of the "tremendous progress made" in relation to the peace process but that renewed efforts were needed by both governments and the parties to reach agreement.
The Cavan/Monaghan TD also call on the DUP to enter into direct negotiations with Sinn Féin.
He said: "Sinn Féin is prepared to meet the DUP at any time. Mr Ó'Caoláin said he believed the DUP "lacked the courage and the political will" to sign up for a deal but further negotiations could bring them further.
He added: "We have a huge opportunity to move forward."
The commitment the IRA was prepared to give on the issue of arms was huge, historic and unprecedented.
"The IRA deserves credit for taking this very difficult and courageous step," he added.
Additional reporting PA
