The Government and Opposition leaders have welcomed yesterday's IRA apology to the families of "non-combatants" killed by the paramilitary group.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said the apology was a "significant contribution" to peace and reconciliation.
In a joint statement, they said that, while the sincere apology and condolences would not undo the hurt and grievance that has been caused to the victims or their families, it nevertheless represented a significant step forward in the process of healing.
"The Government is also encouraged by the restatement of the IRA's commitment to the peace process and to dealing with the challenges and difficulties which that represents," the statement said. The Taoiseach and the Minister said they looked forward to the IRA and other paramilitary organisations building on that commitment.
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, welcomed the apology as a constructive development, noting that it was unprecedented for the IRA to issue an apology. She said it was encouraging also to hear the IRA restate its commitment to the peace process.
"It is significant too that they have accepted the mistakes of the past, which resulted in pain and suffering for victims and their relatives," she said through a spokesman.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, described the statement as a "positive step forward".
"It is a statement of unprecedented strength coming as it does on the 30th anniversary of Bloody Friday," he said. Mr McDowell said the IRA had taken "a major step towards the process of healing and reconcilication".
He said that, while the statement may not be everything every unionist will want, "nonetheless unionists could not fail to be impressed by it".
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said that, while he acknowledged the IRA statement, the ultimate proof that the "war" was truly over would be a further statement of intent to disband the IRA completely. This, he added, would prove that the gun had really been removed from Irish politics for good.
Mr Kenny said loyalist paramilitaries should also disband their armies and decommission their arsenals.
The Labour Leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, welcomed the Provisional IRA statement, which he said represented a step forward in Provisional thinking. The statement and the laying of a wreath in commemoration of those killed on the Somme by the Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Alex Maskey, were "significant developments", he said.
"They represent the clearest signs yet of a recognition by republicans that a genuine peace process has to heal the hurt on both sides and accommodate diversity," he continued.
Mr Quinn said those who never supported the armed struggle would never accept the Provisional IRA's definition of combatants or legitimate targets.