The Taoiseach expressed pessimism that the decommissioning issue will be resolved in the Northern peace process today.
Mr Ahern confirmed there had been a meeting between the IRA representative and Gen John de Chastelain, adding that it was a matter for the General to decide on how those matters were dealt with.
"Then there is the question of witnesses and verification," he added. "Most of that has been resolved, but there is one major difficulty and I do not see the resolution of that. Both sides have strong, determined views on how they see it, but I do not know where the trains meet on this one." He warned that if the situation did not work out in the next 48 hours or less, "we will be in a difficult position".
Mr Ahern said he had been concerned for some weeks about how the issue could be resolved.
"From the point of view of transparency and accountability, John de Chastelain, having had difficulty the last time, has been far more stringent this time for obvious reasons. We must remember that our objective is to achieve the full decommissioning of general headquarters' arms. We are talking about different levels than where we were before."
Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said the Taoiseach should have no doubt that Sinn Féin fully understood the difficulties of others. "He should also note, and he should make no mistake about it, that what is being addressed presents enormous difficulties for republicans too. They have also suffered."
Mr Ó Caolain said he wanted to raise an issue central to what was taking place, "namely, collusion between the armed forces of the British government and loyalist paramilitaries". The British government had agreed at Weston Park that "in the event that a public inquiry is recommended in any case, the relevant government will implement that recommendation". Judge Cory had also recommended a public inquiry.
Mr Ahern said he acknowledged that a significant proportion of the 3,000 people who died, and of the tens of thousands who were injured, many seriously and many of whom were incapacitated for life, during the Troubles, were republicans or members of republican families. "I know that the trauma of this continues for many families."
Mr Ahern continued: "I think Deputy Ó Caoláin acknowledged the issues that affect the McCabe family, and he would understand the concern surrounding those who are in prison for that crime and for whom his party seeks early release. There is great concern as to why these people acted as they did on that day, and, if it was robbery, why they could not have acted in another way."
He added it was important that "Sinn Féin, which has influence over these people through the IRA, seriously considers the question of whether they are released now or in the future".
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said he had some sympathy with the Taoiseach's position. He asked Mr Ahern to explain why he allowed the issue of the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe to remain on the table.
"The real crime here is the murder of a garda, although, through intimidation, it emerged as convictions for unlawful killing," said Mr Rabbitte. "The overwhelming majority of our citizens, including the Taoiseach's supporters, find this a bridge too far and very difficult to stomach."
Mr Ahern replied: "Sinn Féin representatives never ceased looking for the release of these men, but they were at all times refused, and will still be refused, until they comply with what we have stated - full decommissioning, new instructions to the IRA, and the IRA moving into peaceful mode. The IICD and the International Monitoring Commission will call the decommissioning issues, not the governments."
Replying to the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach said there were not many people on the run. "Most of the cases involving people on the run, who were not charged in this jurisdiction, relate to the early 1970s, almost 30 years ago."
On the role of the Rev Ian Paisley, the Taoiseach said: "As I said to him across the table - he would not mind my saying this on the floor of the Dáil - he was not my favourite Irish character over the generations. I fully understand what he has to do, where he is at and the steps he has to take. As he explained to me, he spent practically every day for a quarter of a century going to a house of somebody who was killed, somebody whom he directly knew or a constituent."
