Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said any IRA investigation into the killing of Robert McCartney would be an acid test of the sincerity of the republican movement.
He was speaking in Belfast where he met McCartney family members this evening.
The sisters and the partner of Robert McCartney earlier met the leader of Sinn Féin in the Dail, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin as well as the Labour Party, the Green Party and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern.
After their meeting with the minister the McCartney family said they welcomed the support of the Irish Government in their struggle to have the killers of their brother brought to justice.
Mr Ahern said it would be patriotic for people to come forward and give information to the PSNI in relation to the killers of Robert McCartney.
He also said that the name of Robert McCartney would be high on the Government's agenda in any discussions it has with either the British government or Sinn Féin.
Mr McCartney died after he was beaten and stabbed following a row in a Belfast pub three weeks ago.
His family claim that a number of well-known republicans are responsible for his murder and that witnesses have been intimidated.
