The Government has warned Sinn Féin it must consider its position in the context of the aftermath of the Northern Bank raid, which was blamed on the IRA.
After separate meetings with Northern Ireland's political parties, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said his belief that the leadership of the Provisional movement had advance knowledge of the robbery was based on garda intelligence.
Following talks in Dublin this afternoon, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams accused Mr Ahern of compounding the already profound difficulties in the peace process, with his accusation that the party's leadership had prior knowledge of last month's bank raid.
Mr Adams claimed that the Taoiseach had failed to stand up his accusation, and said he could not do so because it was not true.
Mr Ahern was expected to give Sinn Féin a very firm message that all IRA paramilitary and criminal activity would have to cease before there could be further progress in the peace process.
Arriving at Government Buildings, Mr Adams said while some had characterised today's meeting as a high-noon encounter, that was not his party's focus.
He said Sinn Féin was there to do business. Of paramount importance was the continuing necessary work to keep building the peace process, he told journalists.
