The Democratic Unionist Party is keen to see the new Northern Ireland institutions succeed, the Taoiseach said today.
Mr Ahern said the DUP's re-nomination of its two members of the Executive following this week's IRA move on decommissioning, was "a clear signal that they really want to see the institutions work".
He said: "I have long felt that the DUP very much like the Assembly - they also like the Executive, but from a slight distance".
"Maybe they don't like some of the other parts of the Agreement and really I think they feel they must oppose these things. But in their hearts, I think they are probably glad, as I am, that we are moving on this week".
Mr Ahern's comments come against a background of threats from DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley and his party to block the re-appointment of Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble as Northern Ireland's First Minister.
Speaking on RTÉ radio, Mr Ahern also said the political representatives of the loyalist paramilitaries had to get into a position where they could "carry people with them".
"They now have to try and get authority back and turn people away from all the sectarianism that has been going on.
"I don't think we are going to see an end to the sectarian and loyalist difficulties for a while, but we have to keep working on it," Mr Ahern said.
PA