The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has said the republican movement must 'complete the transition' to the use of exclusively peaceful means. Speaking at the annual 1916 Easter Rising commemoration at Arbour Hill in Dublin, Mr Ahern said the issue would have to be addressed 'sooner or later'.
Addressing Fianna Fáil supporters at a commemorative mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Arbour Hill, Mr Ahern said republicans needed 'to take a leading role' in establishing trust.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's leader in the Dail today said his party would not accept a situation in which republicans were held responsible for any deadlock in the peace process.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the IRA has taken 'courageous decisions' that have too often been taken for granted.
He said: "Republicans have always said that if a viable path of struggle for Irish freedom, not involving armed action, became available then they were obliged to employ that route. They have been true to their word.
"The IRA demonstrated initiative and innovation and ever since their first cessation in 1994 they have taken courageous decisions that have caused real and soul-searching difficulties for many republicans."
He told the Easter 1916 Commemoration in Dublin that these efforts were often taken for granted by those who were hostile to the peace process. "So to those who would point the finger at the IRA for the current difficulties in the peace process I say 'Get your own house in order'."
A situation where opponents blamed republicans for the impasse in the peace process was unacceptable, he said, adding: "We will not accept such a situation and we will continue to assert the rights of those who vote for Sinn Féin throughout the 32 Counties, and the rights of everyone who voted for the Good Friday Agreement, rights that are not subject to preconditions by governments, political parties or armed groups.
"The days of demonisation and discrimination on either side of the border are over and they are not coming," he said. There was a need to put the current impasse in the peace process in the context of the Good Friday Agreement, he said. "For the past five years repeated efforts have been made to prevent the implementation of the Agreement.
"And what is being blocked? Not concessions to republicans, as is so often wrongly stated. Not special privileges for nationalists that mean losses for unionists.
What is being blocked is the implementation of basic rights that should be the norm in any society, rights that will benefit all citizens, regardless of political affiliation or religious persuasion, unionists as well as nationalists."
These rights included a truly accountable police service, the right to live free from sectarian harassment and the right to live in a demilitarised environment. "All of these things should be in place since 1998. Why have they been blocked? I believe the answer is that while the British Government and the unionist leadership saw the potential for major change contained in the Agreement they also believed it could be contained and that Sinn Féin could be contained."
Mr Ó Caoláin said there was a duty to allay the concerns of unionists and meet them on common ground. "We say to them frankly that we are out for a united Ireland that includes them and in which they can play a key and constructive role," he said. "We have no hidden agenda. Their rights are guaranteed in the Good Friday Agreement.
When we have a united Ireland - and I firmly believe it is when and not if - republicans will be the most pro-active in ensuring that the rights of all citizens and of all the diverse sections of our national community, are protected and vindicated."
Sinn Féin faced major challenges in the days and weeks ahead, he said, adding: "Our negotiators are still fully engaged and I want to pay tribute to them from this platform and to join with you in recognising the leadership and skill they have shown."
Sinn Féin was confident that it would significantly increase its support in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections which are due to go ahead in May, he added.
PA