The loyalist community should not be "demonised" because of the internal battle within the Ulster Defence Association, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last night.
Speaking at University College, Dublin, he said: "Loyalist should not be an adjective always used in the context of violence. It also denotes a proud community that is coming to terms with political and social change, and has experienced more than its share of economic deprivation.
"It is also struggling to take ownership of its own destiny. In this part of the island we must do all that we can to encourage and practically assist those political and civic leaders in the loyalist community who are committed to constructive engagement, dialogue and partnership."
Following meetings in London yesterday with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, Mr Ahern told the UCD Law Society the next steps should not take long.
"Time is of the essence. With the necessary political will and the required intensive engagement - and from my contacts with the leaders of the pro-agreement parties in recent weeks - I believe that the necessary political will is there. I believe that it should be possible to resolve the current difficulties and restore the Northern Ireland institutions in sufficient time for the scheduled Assembly elections on May 1st, 2003.
"One thing is clear, there must be no turning back on the agenda for positive change which the agreement represents," he told the gathering, which was also attended by Ulster Unionist Mr Jeffrey Donaldson MP.
But the Taoiseach warned: "Yet, collectively, if we are not sufficiently ambitious and purposeful in the weeks ahead, we may miss an important opportunity to anchor the political process and consolidate the stability of the agreement for some time to come.
"I believe that we should aim high and ensure that we move beyond the stop-start incremental approach which is no longer sufficient to sustain the process. We are, therefore, committed to working to achieve the required acts of completion by all sides that will give the necessary confidence to allow trust to be built and for the process to move forward in a stable manner."
He said: "Five years after the agreement, the people of this island have, I believe, a keen appreciation of its benefits. However, they also have a legitimate expectation that their political leaders should now finish the job of implementing it.
"We have that opportunity in the next few months and, despite the inevitable electoral pressures and internal political constraints, need to seize it by regaining the sense of hope, optimism and courage that gave us the Good Friday Agreement in the first place."
He said: "Getting policing in communities right has never been more important. Participation by Sinn Féin on the Policing Board would be of enormous significance in the transition of the republican movement to peaceful and democratic means."
