THE Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, warned last night that the present situation in Northern Ireland - with no IRA ceasefire, an apparent lack of progress in the talks, and the increased tensions following the marching season was full of danger
"We are performing no public service if we attempt to gloss that reality," he told party members in Carlow.
Stating that it was "highly irresponsible" for anyone to place bombs in cities "and such actions must be repudiated by all democrats", Mr Ahern went on to say: "We cannot afford to wait months, until there are general elections in Britain and Ireland. Far too much could have happened by then."
Mr Ahern said access by Sinn Fein to the talks was blocked not merely by the reasonable requirement that a credible and durable IRA ceasefire be re-established, but also by the British and unionist demand that disarmament must take place alongside talks.