A high-level group examining how Northern Ireland can address the legacy of the violence in Northern Ireland today met the Taoiseach and senior Government officials for two hours of talks in Dublin.
The independent Consultative Group on the Past also met with Garda Commissioner-designate Fachtna Murphy and Justice for the Forgotten campaigners, which represent victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in the 1970s.
The eight-member Consultative Group, which is jointly chaired by former Anglican Primate of Ireland Lord Eames and ex-Northern Ireland Policing Board vice chair Denis Bradley, is currently engaged in a consultation process with all interested parties.
Mr Bradley said: "This is a beginning process. This is such a massive task involving all relevant institutions in Northern Ireland, the Republic and Britain."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met the Group for two hours along with senior officials from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Justice and Foreign Affairs.
"We are trying to recapture the past in a way which will allow us to move on into the future.
"We must acknowledge events of the past and move past some of the hurt and bitterness."
The group which was established by former Secretary of State Pater Hain in June met last week with Northern Ireland organisations representing victims of violence in Northern Ireland.