The Taoiseach has warned that the prospect of ending IRA activity and capability could be lost because of what he called 'unrealistic thresholds of visibility'.
In a speech in Trinity College in Dublin, Bertie Ahern stressed that the British and Irish Governments will work together to advance the Good Friday Agreement.
He said that while changes in its operation may be considered, any attempt to 'hollow out the power-sharing provisions and protections' will not be accepted.
The Taoiseach said both governments now believe there exists a real prospect of definitively ending IRA paramilitary activity, and rapidly completing the decommissioning of IRA weapons.
He accepted that, because of the mistrust of the past, some additional elements of transparency may be required, but it would be 'tragically ironic' if unrealistic demands for transparency led to the loss of the prospect of ending IRA activity and capability.
On the other side of the equation, Mr Ahern said there were 'challenging questions' for the DUP about whether they are 'genuinely up for partnership politics or not'.
He said he had been encouraged by DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley's commitment to finding a way forward, but that the DUP must fully accept partnership politics, both within Northern Ireland and in the operation of North/South arrangements.
The Taoiseach added that people must realise that if this opportunity is squandered, it will have consequences.
