The Taoiseach has said he would like to see progress on decommissioning of arms before the British general election. Mr Ahern said while everyone had a part to play, the "ball is still with the IRA". They were committed to further progress on decommissioning, and this was something they had to do, he said.
Speaking on Sky News yesterday, Mr Ahern said it would be helpful to see progress on decommissioning before the British general election in June.
"I think that would certainly be helpful, and it's what I have worked for, and continue to work for, and that is our position in the Irish Government. We want to see that happen.
"I think that would help the situation greatly, and I think it will happen," said Mr Ahern, in the interview which was recorded on Thursday.
Asked about Sinn Fein's chances in the next general election in the Republic, Mr Ahern said the party was now organising itself and developing in more parts of the country than it had previously. "As a democrat I think that's a good thing, because I want to move away from the way it was in the past."
But, he said, the party currently had just one out of 166 TDs in the Dail. "I'm probably correct that they will increase on that, but ask me to put into context, in the Irish parliament they have one member out of 166."