Disband IRA, says Ahern

Republicans have to disband the IRA if Sinn Fein is to ever be considered as a possible partner in government in the Republic, Bertie Ahern claims.

The Taoiseach insists republicans still need to "go the whole way" down the democratic road.

With Sinn Fein celebrating five seats it has won so far in the election, the Taoiseach said: "I have worked hard and my party has worked hard to bring Sinn Fein in out of the political wilderness and away from the path of IRA violence and into the democratic road.

"So naturally the fact that they are doing that makes me happy.

"But what we are saying is they have to go the whole way because I think in so far as making sure that we have peace in the north and the south on this island, Sinn Fein then has to go the rest of the way and we have to make sure there is no IRA.

"The argument that we have all the time stated is there cannot be ambiguity. You cannot have a position where you have some sort of allegiance, loyalty to a paramilitary army."

Sinn Fein continues to challenge his running mate Dermot Fitzpatrick in his Dublin Central constituency in a desperate battle for a sixth Dail seat.

Ballot papers are being recounted in the constituency after the Fianna Fail candidate edged out Sinn Fein's Nicky Kehoe by just 74 votes.

With some constituencies still to declare definitive results, analysts believe Fianna Fail will take either 81 or 82 seats in the new Dail.

Mr Ahern's party needs 83 TDs for an overall majority. With 150 of 166 seats declared Fianna Fail has 74 seats, Fine Gael are on 28, Labour has 19, the Greens 6, Sinn Fein 5, the Progressive Democrats 4, Socialist Party 1, Others 13.