FIANNA FAIL, as a party representing nationalist Ireland was best placed to reach a "historic compromise" with unionism if anyone could, the party leader said yesterday.
Mr Ahern was delivering the oration at the Fianna Fail Easter Rising commemoration at Arbour Hill in Dublin.
He said that the vision of peace created by Mr Albert Reynolds with Mr John Major had faltered not only because of difficulties with the unionists, but because there was "not the same passionate conviction and firm guidance coming from the new Government in Dublin".
"Peace was declared unconditionally by the IRA on the public understanding that after a few months and post Framework Document Sinn Fein would be admitted to talks.
"The Taoiseach permitted a fatal prevarication by the British on that commitment, using the red herring of decommissioning."
Mr Ahern continued: "The Taoiseach boasted in 1994 that he was the best person to make peace with unionists. Two and a half years on, he has made no progress. Fianna Fail, as a party that represents nationalist Ireland, is better placed to reach a historic compromise with unionism, if anyone can.
"The Downing Street Declaration was the first Irish inspired initiative to win widespread unionist and loyalist support."
Mr Ahern said no party leader had condemned the resumption of IRA violence more than he had. "Continued IRA activity, even if less lethal than in the past, makes the task of rebuilding the peace process harder and fosters huge distrust that is a real barrier to progress.
"Sinn Fein seeks unconditional recognition of its democratic rights and mandate. It also has democratic obligations.
"The quid pro quo for full participation in democratic life remains an unconditional and lasting cessation of IRA violence. Given that, the British government and the unionist community cannot exclude a substantial section of the population from full participation in democratic life."
Mr Ahern also criticised Mr Bruton for "choosing to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Irish State as a partisan event" rather than as "an important stage in the evolution of our independence from 1916".
He paid tribute to the governments of W.T. Cosgrave for doing much to build a stable indigenous democracy.
"But, equally, it is to the credit of Eamon de Valera and a large majority of his colleagues that, after 1923, they never looked back and adopted a realistic and pragmatic attitude to their political task."
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, issued the following statement last night:
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, is making a dangerous error of judgement - consciously or unconsciously providing excuses for the gunmen and bombers who returned to violence. His criticisms display a lack of understanding that it is the duty of all democrats to seek the decommissioning of arms held by paramilitary organisations that have never recognised the State. He also seems to believe that the Irish Government should, as a matter of course, hold symbolic meetings to line itself up in some sort of nationalist front with Sinn Fein and the IRA. His views are wrong on both counts.
Yet again in his statement today the leader of Fianna Fail shows scant understanding of the serious issues at stake for this State and for the safety of its people on the Northern Ireland issue. Indeed, Mr Ahern's criticisms uncannily echo almost word for word those of Gerry Adams. He should not allow himself to be used in this way. Paramilitary politics and democratic politics don't mix.
It is a matter of serious regret that the Fianna Fail leader in his recent comments couldn't even bring himself to offer clear advice to nationalist electors to give exclusive support to democratic parties who reject violence in all circumstances.