The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the issue of the release of those jailed for the killing of Det Garda Jerry McCabe will have to be part of a comprehensive deal on Northern Ireland.
He said the Government took the view last year that as part of an agreement it would have to give consideration to the early release of prisoners and that this was still the Government's position.
Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny
Garda McCabe was shot dead during an attempted armed obbery in Adare in Co Limerick in 1996. His colleague, Det Garda Ben Sullivan, was seriously wounded.
Two of those serving sentenced for the manslaughter of Garda McCabe, Pearse McAuley and Jeremiah Sheehy, secured leave to bring High Court proceedings claiming the Government's refusal to release them under the Belfast Agreement breaches their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Michael O'Neill and John Quinn were also jailed in connection with the attempted post office robbery.
The family of Det Garda McCabe has consistently opposed any moves to release the killers, citing correspondence from the former Minister for Justice Mr John O'Donoghue stating they were not eligible for release under the Belfast Agreement.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said the decision was a betrayal of the "clear and solemn commitments" given to the McCabe family and to the Irish people before the referendum on the Belfast Agreement that the killers would serve their full terms.
"This position has been upheld by the High Court. The Taoiseach should never have allowed this issue to become part of the negotiations with Sinn Fein.
"I want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement as soon as possible. However, this Agreement was approved by the people on the clear understanding that Jerry McCabe's killers would not be covered. This betrayal of their word raises the question as to whether any commitments made by this Government can be relied on."
"The Taoiseach has on many occasions stated that these men would never be considered for early release and that this had been made clear to the Sinn Féin negotiators," he said.