Just a day after announcing he would stand down from office next month the Taoiseach addressed a conference marking the 10th anniversary of the signing of the historic accord.

While Mr Ahern said it signalled a new era of peace and political and economic progress, he added there were still elements on both sides of the divide working to destroy what had been achieved.

To rapturous applause from those at the University College Dublin conference, the outgoing leader said none of the violence of the past was justified.

``The scourge of sectarianism is still all too evident in Northern Ireland,'' he said.

``The peace walls still stand as an affront to our aspiration for a peaceful democratic society.

``There are no easy answers. This will be the work of a generation - perhaps more than one - to overcome.

``This problem must be tackled,'' he said.

Signed on April 10th, 1998 by both the British and Irish governments, the Agreement marked an historic step forward in the path to peace and stability in the North.

The From Conflict To Consensus - The Legacy Of The Good Friday Agreement conference formed part of a series of events to mark the historic anniversary.

It was also addressed by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.

Mr Ahern will host former British prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US Senator George Mitchell - two key figures in the Agreement talks in 1998 - in Dublin next week.