The Taoiseach had an "open mind" on the future of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.
Mr Ahern said taking into account the provisions of the Belfast Agreement, including those related to the Civic Forum in the North and the possible North-South consultative forum, and given the inter-parliamentary links which the agreement provided for, it could be appropriate to close the forum following a final meeting.
This, said Mr Ahern, in reply to the DL leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, was something which all relevant parties would have to consider. He believed that, at this stage, it would be prudent to keep the matter under review in the light of the evolution of events.