The Government is preparing to introduce the toughest security measures in recent years against militant republicans in the aftermath of Omagh.
Following last night's meeting in Belfast between the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, the emphasis switched from condemnation of the bombing and support for the Belfast Agreement and the victims of violence to the need to isolate and neutralise republican splinter groups.
The introduction of internment is a realistic possibility in present circumstances, according to a Government spokesman, who said it would be one of a range of security measures that could be co-ordinated on both sides of the Border. For that to happen, new British legislation would be required.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, and the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, will meet the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, and the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, in Belfast today to discuss the nature of the security response to militant republican groups and to co-ordinate it.
Last month the Cabinet discussed using internment as a counter-measure to the growth of the so-called "Real IRA", made up of dissident Provisionals. It was decided then to concentrate on surveillance and other anti-insurgency measures so as to ensure the highest quality of security information about the growing splinter group.
The use of internment would have to be precisely focused and of limited application in order to be effective. Because of that, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, yesterday repeated his appeal to militant republican groups - such as the INLA and the Continuity Army Council - to declare an immediate cessation.
The Government was determined to do whatever was necessary to deal with the Omagh bombers, Mr Ahern said, and the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act and other measures were being examined to see whether the authorities had sufficient powers. Splinter organisations should declare immediate cessations of violence "because we have to take this into account when we move to crush this campaign and we will do it".
If the INLA called a ceasefire in the next few days, members and supporters of the "Real IRA" would become much more isolated within the nationalist community and would therefore be more vulnerable to arrest. A Government spokesman urged a "prompt" response from the INLA.
Condemnation of the Omagh bombing by the leadership of Sinn Fein and demands by the party president, Mr Gerry Adams, for the "Real IRA" to end its violent activities, indicated no support will be forthcoming from the broad republican movement for the people who planned and executed the bombing.
The Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Harney, will return today from holiday in Portugal. A number of other Ministers are also expected to return to Dublin for a special Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, when the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs will outline recent developments and propose a series of security measures.
Given the death toll of at least 28 people bombing, the Dail Opposition ail would be unlikely to impede any security measures proposed by the Government.