Prime Minister Bertie Ahern with the Irish government's security response to the bombing

Cross-border security will also be stepped up following the Omagh bombing, which killed 28 people and injured more than 200.

New curbs to the right of silence will be brought in and the time suspects can be held without charge will be increased from 48 hours to 72 hours, with provision for a 24-hour extension.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said: ''These measures are extremely draconian, but I'm not prepared to take the chance of anything else [happening] and these measures have to be implemented quickly.''

A bill will create new offences including directing an illegal organisation, possessing firearms, withholding information, unlawfully collecting information and training people in the making of firearms.

Mo Mowlam welcomes tough stance

Denis Murray: Mowlam welcomes Irish government's tough response

Mr Ahern's announcement was warmly welcomed by Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam, who said: "This means that we now have the strongest ever anti-terrorist measures across the whole of the Ireland."

She said she was "actively" looking at ways of further strengthening British legislation.

Bertie Ahern: Crush the paramilitaries

"In particular it is at present difficult to secure convictions for the offence of membership of a proscribed organisation, such as the Real IRA which has admitted to Saturday's bombing.''

"I am therefore considering changes similar to those which the Irish Government have announced today to make it easier to prove membership

"The details are still being worked out, as they are with the Irish, but I hope we can move quickly."

No internment but it remains an option

Denis Murray: Irish government won't put up with this any more

Mr Ahern stopped short of introducing internment.

But he added: "It remains an option [but] what we are doing now is considered the most effective way of dealing with the existing situation."

"The option remains and it is an option which the government will avail of if it is judged the best option."

Mr Ahern said it was not considered necessary to make suppression orders of paramilitary organisations at present.

The package follows an emergency meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday afternoon.

No more Omaghs

Mr Ahern said: "The full government returned from their holidays to have this meeting.

"We wish at the outset to convey once again our heartfelt sympathy to all the victims.

Mo Mowlam looking at similar security measures

""The government is no doubt that the Omagh bombing was intended as a direct attack on the Good Friday Agreement and on the principles of democracy itself.

"The government is determined to do everything in our power, working closely with the British Government, to defeat and suppress this murderous conspiracy against the people of Ireland.

"What we want to hear from them and other dissident groups that have not declared a ceasefire is that there will be no more Omaghs.

"We will do everything in our power to crush violence and atrocities like Omagh will never ever blunt the determination of the people of this island to live together in peace."

Pain and suffering

Mr Ahern said his government had not undertaken the measures lightly, but there was a clear responsibility with the British Government to defend the Good Friday Agreement from "cowardly, anonymous" groups.

Tony Blair: Increased cooperation with Dublin

''I have witnessed the pain and suffering," he said.

"When you stand in a room with the body of a beautiful boy who should be out playing football on a fine day and who should be looking forward to his dreams, whose life has been shattered by faceless cowards, it brings home what you are dealing with.

"It is our responsibility to honour the courage and memory of those whose lives were cruelly cut short."

Mr Ahern said the people had clearly backed the Good Friday Agreement, adding: "We are determined no organisation, no individuals, nobody, will silence that voice."

At the meeting ministers approved the drafting of a bill to strengthen the Offences Against the State Acts of 1939 and 1985.

Measures aimed at preventing another bombing

Mr Ahern made no apologies for the hardline stance.

''These legislative measures of course will be seen as extremely tough and harsh.

''Collectively the details come to a very, very stringent and hard response,''

Trimble briefed in Dublin

Mr Ahern briefed Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble on the new measures on Wednesday evening.

These were Mr Trimble's first talks in Dublin since becoming First Minister of the new Northern Ireland Assembly.

The meeting with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern went ahead against what Mr Trimble called "the very sombre circumstance" created by the Omagh bomb outrage.

Mr Trimble later urged the UK Government to match the anti-terrorist measures announced in Dublin.

He also called for the return of the reserve power to intern terrorist suspects without trial.

Mr Trimble said: "I think there is a strong case for parallel action in the United Kingdom and I know the prime minister is thinking about this.

"I do not wish to suggest there is a reluctance on his part."

"But I hope it proves possible to take action in the United Kingdom at least as urgent as that taking place here."

The UK is also due to unveil plans for increased security.