The Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern stressed tonight that "the hard work is far from over" in relation to the Northern Ireland peace process.
He told the Fianna Fail party's annual conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, that the government had not agreed with Britain's decision earlier this year to postpone elections for a new assembly on the northern side of the border.
Delivering his keynote address to more than 5,000 delegates near the end of the one-day meeting, Mr Ahern said he and his government had worked tirelessly for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement on Northern and earlier this year had been in sight of final agreement on the outstanding issues.
The Taoiseach, who earlier issued a gloomy assessment for the prospects of imminent advances from Ulster Unionist-Sinn Fein talks, added: "I believe that the elections should take place.
"I believe, too, that elections should happen in an atmosphere of real hope - the hope that the Assembly and the Executive can be formed and can work properly, after the election."
But he also stressed: "The clock is ticking and tonight I say to the parties -you know what must be done.
"Peace is our historic challenge - the great task facing our government. We have known too much despair, too much grief, ever to turn back or to give up.
"Now all who are truly concerned should take the necessary next steps and build a lasting future of confidence, of trust and of peace."
Mr Ahern also repeated his insistence that a controversial ban on workplace smoking would go ahead on schedule early in the new year.
He maintained: "Smoking damages the health of those who smoke - it will kill 7,500 people this year - but smoking also damages the health of those who have no choice but to work where smoking is allowed.
"So from January, smoking will no longer be allowed in the workplace - and the ban will include pubs and nightclubs.
Dealing with the economy, Mr Ahern said Ireland was far from the foreign markets where Irish wages were earned and the country's wealth was made.
He asserted: "We must succeed in addressing the economic issues within our control. That means fighting inflation and keeping costs down. Step by step, we are fighting inflation and we have been winning. But the threat to our progress remains.
"From the companies who hoard land for housing, to the privileged professions where there is too much cosiness and too little competition, our economy is being held back and being held to ransom.
"And tonight I say to those who will put their own interests ahead of the national interest - this government will use all of its power to put the people first."
PA News