There can be no climbdown on the Patten report proposals for a new police force for Northern Ireland, despite the difficulties the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, has, the Taoiseach said yesterday.
Mr Ahern said the Patten report was made on the basis of an enormous number of compromises by Irish political parties and even more so by the nationalist parties in the North.
"Sinn Fein started their input into Patten on the basis of disbandment of the RUC. That just gives an example of how far everyone moved," he said.
The Taoiseach said he was willing to help the North's First Minister with difficulties he has in other areas, but not in the area of police reform.
Mr Ahern said if Patten went through there would be an excellent police service in the North.