After a meeting with the British Prime minister, Tony Blair, in London the Taoiseach said it is his view that the leadership of Sinn Féin does want a comprehensive political deal for Northern Ireland.
However, Bertie Ahern said it remains the considered view in both London and Dublin that there are issues, such as criminality and paramilitarism, that must be addressed in order to resolve the problems in the peace process.
The agenda for today's meeting also included intelligence issues regarding the murder of Belfast man, Robert McCartney, and the fall-out from the Northern Bank robbery.
The meeting followed the decision by the US government not to invite Northern Ireland's politicians to St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House in Washington.
The break with tradition had been expected in the wake of December's bank raid, which the Irish and British governments - as well as the PSNI - have blamed on the IRA.
An official US source said the administration will be delighted to welcome the Taoiseach and to celebrate American-Irish ties.
It is understood that a number of those involved in reconciliation work, including integrated education, are on the guest list.
