The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last night that he was disappointed at the result of the vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday, but he believed the current difficulties could be overcome.
"I am naturally disappointed at the failure of the Northern Ireland Assembly to elect David Trimble and Mark Durkan as First Minister and Deputy First Minister", he said in a statement.
He welcomed Mr Trimble's commitment and determination to continue his efforts to pursue the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. "I believe that this setback can be overcome."
A Government source said last night that Mr Ahern did not wish to see a further suspension of the Assembly.
However, it was pointed out that a suspension in this case would be for a specific short period and would have a specific aim.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, telephoned the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid, immediately after yesterday's vote. According to a Government spokesman, they agreed during the call that Dr Reid would convene meetings with pro-agreement parties as quickly as possible.
Mr Ahern said that the Government was in active and continuing contact with the British government and the pro-agreement parties. "It is vital that all the pro-agreement parties stand together and work closely with one another as a matter of urgency to find a way forward."
The Taoiseach said everything possible must be done to protect the agreement. "It offers the best future for all the people of Northern Ireland and these islands generally."
He said that despite yesterday's outcome it was clear that the agreement commanded overwhelming support both within the Assembly and in the wider community. "We will continue to spare no effort to see it implemented in full."
The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, described the result as a most serious setback for all who hoped that Northern Ireland was poised to enter a new period of political progress which would allow the full implementation of the agreement.
"It is a particular disappointment coming so soon after the historic decision of the IRA to commence the process of decommissioning", he said.
Unionists who voted against Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan had put sectional and political considerations ahead of the interests of the broad community and had jeopardised all the progress made since the Belfast Agreement, he said.
"Having made decommissioning their main demand since 1998, the DUP and the anti-agreement UUP members are exposed as hypocrites following their vote today."
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, said he had noted the outcome of the vote with regret. "Fine Gael's view is that both governments and the Northern Ireland parties should redouble their efforts to find a technical solution to the difficulties which have arisen. The people of Ireland, North and South, have indicated their support for the Good Friday agreement in referendums. It is important that the clear wishes of the people should now be fulfilled."