DAIL REPORT: The Minister for Foreign Affairs sharply attacked Sinn Féin when he denied that he had speculated last week that Fianna Fáil might share power with the party.
"At no stage in the interview did I postulate a scenario where Fianna Fáil would enter a coalition with Sinn Féin," said Mr Ahern.
He said that no person on the Government side of the House had to deal with Sinn Féin in his own constituency like he had.
"I was born and bred five miles from the Border, where I still live. I know Sinn Féin's policies, both economically and from other points of view. I know what problems they have perpetrated in my constituency.
"I have said, time and time again, for 30 years that their policies dramatically affected my constituency, particularly economically but also socially."
Mr Ahern said his comments were made at Hillsborough in response to specific questions from the media on the implications for participation in government in this jurisdiction if the issue of IRA weapons were conclusively and definitively resolved and the DUP was asked to accept Sinn Féin as a partner in the Northern Ireland executive.
"My comments were fully consistent with the Taoiseach's views on the subject, namely, that there must be an end to paramilitarism, that we must see the decommissioning of weapons, and that there can be no place for a private army," the Minister said.
"Our Constitution provides for only one Army, Óglaigh na hÉireann, as the Taoiseach made abundantly clear last Sunday, and as I did in the interview in question."
He said it was important that the central objective of the current discussions - the full implementation of the provisions of the Belfast Agreement - should not be lost sight of.
Mr Ahern said: "The Government is focused on two immediate and related priorities: achieving definitive closure on paramilitary activity and capability, and, in a new climate of confidence, restoring the full operation of the institutions of the agreement on a stable, enduring and inclusive basis."
He added that the realisation of that enormous prize of peace and political stability, which would transform politics in both jurisdictions on the island, was the main focus of his discussions with the Northern Secretary last week.
The Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Bernard Allen, said he had no doubt that Mr Ahern's statement was "part of a softening-up process" for the Irish people.
"If Fianna Fáil was in a tight corner after the next election, they would do a deal with the devil himself to stay in power," he added.
Mr Ahern had spoken about arms and having peace on the island, but he did not give his views on the activities of the IRA in the Republic.
"What is his attitude towards the IRA? Must all those activities cease before his party can even consider speaking about powersharing?"
Mr Ahern remarked: "I find it a little ironic listening to Deputy Allen criticise the suggestion which was not made by me.
"His party said in 1992 that it would never participate in a coalition with Democratic Left. Two years later it changed its mind."
Mr Allen replied: "The Minister is not comparing like with like."
Mr Ahern: "Big change, that."
