Ahern launches attack on Real IRA

Bertie Ahern has strongly attacked the breakaway Real IRA as he celebrated St Patrick's Day in Washington.

The Taoiseach described the republican splinter group as a tiny organisation as he addressed the annual American Ireland Fund dinner.

The dinner was the social highlight of the US capital's celebration of the feast.

It came the night before a White House reception for St Patrick's Day held by new President George W Bush which is being seen as a symbol of the new administration's commitment to backing the peace process.

Mr Ahern said: "We have no time for them and nobody has in the island of Ireland."

He called on the IRA to build on its contact with the international decommissioning body headed by General John de Chastelaine announced earlier this week.

"Last week the IRA announced it would enter into discussions with the de Chastelaine commission," Mr Ahern told the audience at the $25,000-a-table dinner.

"As you know the statement yesterday is welcome and positive and I look forward to these discussions making early progress toward the IRA, in their own words, completely and verifiably putting the gun beyond use.

"We need to resolve the question of paramilitary arms."

And he expressed thanks to the new Bush administration for their interest in the peace process.