British Prime Minister Tony Blair told MPs in the House of Commons today that Assembly elections must go ahead in Northern Ireland.
He said talks were continuing to break the deadlock in the peace process and ministers were considering "the time that (elections) should be."
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Meanwhile, the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Mr David Ervine, is in Dublin today for talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Speaking before today's talks, Mr Ervine called on the Irish and British governments to work with loyaliststo bring the peace process to its logical conclusion.
The East Belfast PUP councillor said: "Certainly from the bits and pieces weare getting from the current negotiations, the atmosphere appears to be changingto one of a more positive nature.
"It is expected the IRA will make a move on weapons and we will get anelection but whether we can get a comprehensive deal which can stick coming outof this remains to be seen.
"In terms of loyalism, I believe what we need to do is to pool some resources- and I don't mean money but talent from the Government - to work with loyalistsand others who have been working with loyalism to take this process through toits logical conclusion.
"Obviously, the question of relevance affects paramilitaries of any colour,so let's see what we can do to ensure that those associated with paramilitarismand criminality can get out of the jungle.
"It certainly seems that not the same effort or energy is being devoted totackle that in loyalism than it is in republicanism."
Several talk sources have in recent days reported a more positive atmospherein the negotiations between David Trimble's Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein.
With the holding of an Assembly election linked in some of the participants'minds with a deal, the parties appear resigned to the vote for a new Assemblynot taking place on November 13th.
Sources are hopeful that an election will take place next month, with Thursday November 27th the most attractive date although British government sources have signalled that there is no obligation on them to holdan election on a Thursday.