The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, yesterday ruled out any compromise on badges and emblems in reform of the RUC. He indicated that the new police force would not have "RUC" in its name and that the badge would be changed.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Ahern said the whole reason for Patten was so nationalists and republicans would join the police. However, Mr Ahern stressed the Government would do all it could to help Mr David Trimble persuade his party to re-enter the Executive in two weeks' time.
"We will be as helpful as we possibly can in looking at various points that have been made" he said. "I don't think we can change Patten. Patten itself has taken the best balance that could be received between the aspirations of nationalists and the significant reform of the RUC.
"But at the same time in the talks the other day and around the talks I have heard many comments about taking some considerations and some points about the RUC into account, and the role that they have played on the basis that the vast majority of members of the RUC over the years were upstanding people who did their job to the best of their ability."
The Taoiseach said Mr Trimble wrote to him yesterday and he had a discussion with him early yesterday morning. "We are certainly going to be as accommodating as we can," he said. He also had a meeting in Dublin with senior British officials and was due to talk to Mr Blair last night.
Mr Ahern said the two weapons assessors, Mr Martti Ahtisaari and Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, would travel to Belfast on Monday for discussions with the decommissioning body.