The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, cut short his visit to Paris last night because of the crisis in Northern Ireland.
Throughout his two-day stay in Paris, Mr Ahern was in constant contact with the British Prime Minister and other parties trying to resolve the conflict over Orange marches.
President Jacques Chirac had invited Mr Ahern to join him in the stands for today's Bastille Day parade. But the Taoiseach had completed what he said was the main purpose of his visit - a working meeting on European issues with the Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin - and decided to return to Dublin.
