The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said tonight the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe would not be released while provisional paramilitarism continues.
He also said Garda McCabe's widow, Anne was entitled to be able to trust the Government and that intended writing to her.
"I do hope to be in a position to communicate with Mrs McCabe because I believe that recent events have been unnecessarily upsetting for her. I believe that she is entitled, as she says herself, to be able to trust the Irish Government and she will be in a position to trust the Government on these matters," Mr McDowell.
Interviewed on the RTE 9 o'clock news, Mr McDowell said there "is no question of their release being used as an inducement or as an appetiser for anybody to change their political stance.
"The government has made it clear that while paramilitarism continues there is no question of considering their release."
However, speaking at the launch of the Progressive Democrats' local election candidates for Limerick city and county, Mr McDowell did suggest the Government would consider early release for the men in the light of a cessation of paramilitary violence.
In those circumstances, said Mr McDowell, neither he nor the Government would let historic opportunities slip through his grasp.