The Government is planning to publish Judge Peter Cory's findings into controversial killings which involve allegations of Garda collusion with paramilitaries, perhaps as early as Thursday.
However, it is not known if the British government will also publish the judge's findings into four murders in Northern Ireland also alleged to involve police and British army collusion with loyalists.
Judge Cory is reportedly unhappy with the timing of the British publication of his findings.
It is further understood that he may write to the families of those murdered outlining his findings and recommendations if the British government does not. However, this could not be confirmed last night.
The retired Canadian Supreme Court judge concluded his investigation into the cases of solicitor Pat Finucane, the loyalist paramilitary Billy Wright, solicitor Rosemary Nelson and Robert Hamill who was kicked to death by a loyalist mob. These four cases involve allegations of RUC and/ or British army collusion.
He also investigated the killing of two senior RUC officers near the Border after they had met their Garda opposite numbers in Dundalk, and also the murders of Lord Justice and Lady Gibson as they returned to Northern Ireland from the Republic.
His reports were handed to the British and Irish governments respectively last month.
They were due to check his reports for security implications and other concerns before simultaneous publication.
One source indicated to The Irish Times last night that the Cabinet is due to discuss the matter today. Another reliable source said Judge Cory's findings could also arise during discussions between the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, at Downing Street tomorrow.
The Irish Times has been advised that the judge, acutely aware of the legal, security and intelligence implications of his investigations, was especially careful to phrase his report so as not to compromise the judicial process or national security in either Britain or Ireland.
He may have submitted elements of his report in advance to minimise the chances of including material which could prejudice publication.
A British source said last night that the four reports handed over by Judge Cory in London would be published "as soon as possible", but conceded this may not happen on Thursday.
The British government was still checking the legal implications of the judge's findings and examining any effect they may have on current judicial proceedings or on British responsibilities under European conventions.
The reliable source said London "had no problem" with Dublin publishing its Cory reports in advance of theirs.