THE President, Mrs Robinson, spoke last night of the "shock and disappointment" throughout Ireland and Britain that followed renewed violence by the IRA.
She was speaking at an annual reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Aras an Uachtarain.
Mrs Robinson said: "The return to paramilitary violence profoundly shocked and disappointed the overwhelming majority of the people of these islands.
"Tensions between the two communities in Northern Ireland were self evidently acute, particularly during the summer, and they are a source of great sadness and cause us to renew again the Importance of building reconciliation."
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, yesterday said he remained hopeful despite the resumed IRA campaign of violence.
Speaking in Dublin after a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, he said: "Eventually peace will come, there is no doubt about that.
"Negotiations will take place when people have patience. The first essential is the ceasefire. I would appeal to all who have power, who have responsibility for the common good, not to allow this slide into chaos, which seems to be taking place, this lack of direction, which we all deplore."