The Taoiseach said this evening he hoped to build a "constructive relationship" with the loyalist community in the North.
From left to right, Frankie Gallagher, Frank McCoubrey and Jackie McDonald leaving for Dublin today
Speaking after a meeting with loyalist representatives in Dublin Mr Ahern said he stressed that "progress could by made when there is peace on the streets."
A delegation from the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), which speaks on behalf of the UDA, travelled to Government Buildings in Dublin under Garda escort for the meeting.
The loyalist delegation included councillors Mr Tommy Kirkham, Mr Frankie Gallagher and Mr Frank McCoubrey. Loyalist prisoner representative Mr Stanley Fletcher and Mr Jackie McDonald, a UDA leader, were also thought to be in Dublin for the first meeting between the Taoiseach and the UPRG.
In a statement after the talks, Mr Ahern said the meeting was the first in a series of discussions with loyalist representatives. "I know that all too often, loyalist people feel their voices are not heard, and their concerns are ignored," Mr Ahern said.
"We want to be constructive, and I have assured them that the Government is ready to assist in any way we can to advance a positive agenda.
"I stressed that progress can only be made when there is peace on the streets and that the use of violence, the threat of violence and involvement in criminality are contrary to the interests of everybody, including the loyalist community itself," he added.
Tonight's talks focused on a loyalist desire to have an input in the upcoming review of the Belfast Agreement and a dispute concerning loyalist prisoners in Maghaberry Prison, Co Antrim.
Following the 90-minute meeting, Mr Kirkham said: "It was an open meeting. It was amicable. We discussed the situation within the prisons. In fact, we asked for support for a review of the prisons' situation."
"He said he would work with us in the future. Today is only the start of a whole series of meetings. We hope to be back in Dublin to meet the Taoiseach again in a few weeks time."
Mr Kirkham said the meeting was "an historic occasion".
Northern Ireland security minister Ms Jane Kennedy met a UPRG delegation last week and claimed the UDA could not seriously be considered to be on ceasefire. She blamed the organisation for recent hoax bombs in Belfast and attacks on prison officers' homes.
The UDA said the incidents were linked to the at Maghaberry protests where loyalist prisoners are campaigning for segregation from republicans.
The organisation, which has fought a bitter feud and is steeped in organised crime, has been on a self-proclaimed ceasefire for nearly 12 months.
But the UDA ceasefire has not been recognised since October 2001 when the-then Northern Ireland secretary John Reid declared it over after sectarian pipe bombings and murders.
