Dissident republicans will be under heightened surveillance in the run-up to devolution on May 8th, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil.
He also said he had received and was going through the MacEntee report into the Dublin and Monaghan pub bombings. He would have to seek legal advice on a number of points from the Attorney General but hoped to publish the report immediately afterwards.
Speaking later outside the Dáil, Mr Ahern said although the report offered insight into the broader area of collusion, there were unlikely to be any prosecutions arising from it.
As the Opposition welcomed the agreement between Sinn Féin and the DUP, the Taoiseach described their meeting and "unequivocal agreement" to restore devolution by May 8th as "truly unprecedented developments".
He said it was "enormously important that no more time is lost. We have lost enough but will be positive that this can happen. I hope for a lot of early engagement and that everyone will agree that the delay is a price worth paying and that at least we can all sign up to it."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte asked about dissident republican activity and referred to comments by DUP MP Willie McCrea that arms were imported into Northern Ireland last week.
Mr Ahern said he had no particular information about the arms issue. "There are still subversive groups, though small in number and dedicated in their unhelpful mission. They are still about and there have been some reports of activities, all from the usual sources. They still take up quite a large amount of effort and resources. There is always the worry that they can strike and create problems. It is always when progress is being made that we worry most about these elements. Up to May 8th there will be heightened surveillance."
Sinn Féin's Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin wanted confirmation about infrastructural projects the Government would support, including the enhanced road service from Dublin serving Donegal and Derry.
The Taoiseach said the financial package included £35 billion over four years from the UK, and noted £400 million would come from the Government to improve infrastructure, including "in particular the development of a dual carriageway-standard road to Derry and Donegal."
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent pressed "the urgency of bringing forward the register of persons considered unsafe to work with children".
Mr Ahern said Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern had his officials working on it. There was "ongoing dialogue through Minister of State Brian Lenihan but we have asked to bring the matter to a conclusion. In the interregnum we will try to make progress. We have moved a long way."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny pointed out that 68 per cent of the North's economy was driven by public administration. Mr Ahern said there would not be an overnight change in corporation tax rates but Gordon Brown had reduced the UK rate from 30 per cent to 28 per cent and had agreed to carry out a review of the different tax rates between North and South.
Mr Ahern pointed out that the last three closed Border roads would be opened by summer "and will allow far more contact".
