Fine Gael and Garda sources have expressed anger at indications from the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, that the release of the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe will be part of a package to restore power-sharing in the North.
Mr Ahern told the Dáil yesterday he would recommend that the release of the Provisional IRA killers be put on the agenda if a comprehensive deal emerged. "I do not see how we will be able to deal with it otherwise," he said.
The remarks follow the confirmation earlier this year that the release of the killers was a secret element of the deal planned in October 2003 which collapsed over the lack of detail given about a substantial IRA act of weapons decommissioning.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, accused Mr Ahern of betraying "solemn commitments" to the McCabe family and the promise before the Belfast Agreement referendum that the killers would serve their full terms.
However, Mr Ahern said it had become clear in the political negotiations last March that the Government would give consideration to the release of the killers in the context of a final settlement.
This would involve moving "to a position where we would have decommissioning of IRA arms held by the IRA leadership in GHQ and there would be instructions to IRA volunteers", he said.
Mr Ahern added that he knew the difficulties involved in releasing the prisoners.
He said "we would have to engage in discussions with the families, which we would do, and the Garda representative body".
The Minister for Defence, Mr O'Dea, said last night he would accept with "regret" the release of the killers if that was the only thing blocking a final settlement.
While accepting that he had opposed the release in all circumstances, he said he never envisaged a situation "where it would be the only thing standing between final settlement and no settlement".
"Whatever about my personal feelings, it's a matter for the Government and the Government's top priority is to solve this."
The general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, Mr P.J. Stone, said any move to release the killers would "reward cop killers" and send the wrong message.