The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told the Dáil that he favoured the Northern Assembly elections going ahead in May. He added that he wavered between "pessimism and optimism" on resolving the outstanding issues before then.
"I hold the view that May 1st is the date of the election. It is the end of a five-year term after democratically and freely held elections." He said there had been difficulties in the meantime, and postponing the elections would not help the peace process in any way.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said he agreed that the elections should go ahead on May 1st, and "that means that the pace has to be quickened in relation to the outstanding issues".
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, asked Mr Ahern for his "best assessment" of the prospects of the Executive being restored by mid-March.
"Is the Taoiseach aware of concerns among some of the parties in Northern Ireland that the twin-track approach of the two governments seems to give primacy to two parties to the agreement, namely the UUP and Sinn Féin? Is he aware that some other parties feel they have been relegated to a supporting role?"
Mr Ahern replied that his assessment ranged from "pessimism to optimism". He was convinced all the parties would like to have the Executive and institutions up and running before they enter an election campaign.
"All the parties accept May 1st as the election date, although some do so reluctantly. If circumstances allowed, I have no doubt some parties would try to find other ways, but the governments have stood firm, as have parties in this House and at Westminster."
Mr Ahern said there must be "an unambiguous and definitive move away from paramilitary activities". They were not asking for an end to everything, but they were certainly asking for completion on all the important things.
"To make progress and gain agreement, we must have a clear, definitive and unambiguous position on those issues. The difficulty is some parties would like to see conclusions on the aspect that is their priority."
Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) asked Mr Ahern if he was aware how difficult life was in many Protestant working-class communities as a result of the murderous feud among loyalist paramilitaries and the tension and fear which was engendered.
Mr Ahern said that many loyalist areas were deprived and had difficulty in introducing necessary political and social changes. "They are looking for political community leadership which will allow them take control of their own areas and destiny."
Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said they should be mindful that towards the end of last year the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, had said his government had not fully implemented its commitments under the Belfast Agreement.
"Since the suspension of the institutions, there has been no indication as to whether a plan exists or that one will be presented in order to break the current situation, have the institutions restored and allow the agreement to proceed," he said.
