During a visit to the North today, the Taoiseach said the Good Friday Agreement is the best way forward for Northern Ireland.
Bertie Ahern said he believes the current round of political negotiations can produce a viable partnership, based on total equality between the participants.
His speech at the University of Ulster in Coleraine could prove to be one of his most significant about the North. He said that the two parts of Ireland, which are on the periphery of Europe, should pool their resources rather than duplicate them.
Mr Ahern highlighted the merits to a common approach to infrastructure, roads, rail, air, energy, telecoms and so on.
The Taoiseach also welcomed the Government's contacts with the DUP and said he looked forward to more open and honest engagement.
Taoiseach meets SDLP leader
Mr Ahern held a brief meeting with the SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, this morning.
Later in Co Tyrone, he met some of the families of the victims of the Omagh bombing.
However, a spokesman for the families of the Omagh victims, Michael Gallagher, said he was shocked to learn that Mr Ahern would not be present in the Dáil tomorrow when Omagh is discussed.
Deputies will hear statements on the Nally report into claims that the Gardaí failed to pass on intelligence that might have prevented the atrocity.
Mr Gallagher, who was in Dublin for a meeting with the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, said Mr Ahern's absence tomorrow would send out the wrong message to victims everywhere.
The Taoiseach is due instead to fulfil a round of engagements in the Midlands.
