Ahern wants decisive IRA response

Bertie Ahern says IRA must be clear about embracing politics

The IRA must give a clear and decisive response to calls from Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to embrace politics, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said.

Mr Ahern said if there was a positive response it had to be "translated into clear reality on the ground".

If this happened, then unionists would be expected to fully participate in inclusive politics, he added.

Mr Ahern said he was certain that a comprehensive debate was under way involving all members of the IRA.

"That is a good thing. That engagement including all members and activists of republicanism is what can at last help us to come to finality if it is a positive response," he said.

Before the general election in May, Mr Adams said he was calling on the IRA to pursue its goals through democratic means by embracing politics.

Mr Ahern said he did not want to put any deadline on a response from the IRA.

"But I hope it is positive, I hope it is conclusive and I hope there is no ambiguity about it," he said.

The taoiseach was addressing a conference at University College, Dublin, on the future of north-south co-operation.

He said cross-border partnerships were the cornerstones of the political settlement the Good Friday Agreement had offered.