The Taoiseach has indicated that he is satisfied with the composition of the investigation into the Rosemary Nelson murder, saying that the level of international involvement may be enough to ensure it can do its work.
Asked in the Dail yesterday whether he supported calls for an international inquiry, he said the current investigation would have to be completed before any inquiry got under way. However, he believed such an inquiry was "almost inevitable" and suggested it be conducted along the lines of the Saville inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday currently under way.
"I have taken the view that if the British government can give us assurances that this investigation is impartial and independent, that the police officers are not the RUC and it is structured in such a way as to satisfy groups involved - and with the American involvement - that this could be satisfactory."
The Taoiseach also called on all parties to the Belfast Agreement "to take their responsibilities and work constructively to overcome the difficulties" in the peace process. Speaking in advance of next week's resumption of talks in the North, Mr Ahern told the Dail the two governments would "continue to shoulder their responsibility to lead the peace process".
He said the proposed "day of reconciliation" on which some weapons would be put "beyond use" was dependent on further developments and a consensus being reached in negotiations.
He said if it proved necessary, the Government would introduce a measure in the Dail to extend the deadline for amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, approved by referendum last May, to be implemented.
The amendment passed by referendum said that these changes would come into force within a year, once the institutions envisaged by the Belfast Agreement had been established. If the institutions have not been established by May 22nd, the Government is likely to propose the postponement of that deadline by one year.
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam has called on politicians to "keep their nerve" and show courage in translating the Belfast Agreement into lasting peace.
Speaking at a trade union conference in Glasgow yesterday, she said the peace process was "going through a tough time", but she also held out "hope of a brighter future" for the North.
Dr Mowlam praised the unions for their "crucial role" in working for peace and said no one should underestimate their contribution to the peace agreement. She said they had also played a vital part in securing last May's Yes vote in the referendum.
"When we look at what has been achieved so far, we should take courage to crown these achievements with lasting peace."
She said she remained convinced only a small minority of people - about 100 in the North and a similar number in the South - were trying by violence to stop progress.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that a new commission to oversee the recovery of bodies of missing IRA murder victims is to be set up. The British-Irish panel could start its work by the end of this month and will liase with republicans to pinpoint the hidden graves of nine victims and return the remains to their families.
Sources have confirmed that legislation establishing the commission is to be rushed through the House of Commons and the Dail within the next few days and the laws should come into effect by April 30th. The new legislation will include a number of clauses ensuring that any forensic evidence uncovered cannot be used in prosecution.
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Rev Ian Paisley, said he would vote against the Bill when it came before parliament. "Yet another major concession is being made to terrorists at a time when those terrorists are threatening the political stability of Northern Ireland," he said.
