The Taoiseach will take part in an intensive round of talks in the next few days amid hopes that the IRA will shortly make a substantial move that could propel the current deadlock towards resolution.
Mr Ahern and Mr Tony Blair, will meet on Thursday to assess the prospects of a breakthrough. The Taoiseach will talk to Sinn Féin's president, Mr Gerry Adams, in Dublin tomorrow, the SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, on Wednesday and the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, on Thursday in London.
Government sources hope for a significant IRA movement on weapons and a statement on its future by mid-February. Such a development together with a Sinn Féin decision to join the North's Policing Board and the dismantling of British security posts in Border areas are seen as key ingredients of any deal.
There is speculation that the IRA is considering a more substantial move on weapons than before, as well as a statement on its long-term intentions. While some sources hope it will make a historic statement that it is "standing down", others have suggested that a statement may only hold out the prospect of such a move in the future.
However, the Government and Sinn Féin are sceptical about whether a substantial IRA move would be enough to get Ulster Unionists to agree to rejoin political institutions in the North, which have been suspended since October. A Government statement last night said this week's meetings "will allow an opportunity to focus on a number of areas seen as central to restoring trust and confidence among the parties in Northern Ireland".
Britain wants to see move by IRA: page 4