The IRA insisted last night that its ceasefire remained intact on the eve of today's meeting in Dublin between the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Sinn Féin leader, Mr Gerry Adams.
As the North's political leaders prepare for a week of talks seeking a political breakthrough in the North, the IRA rejected as "bogus" claims that it had compiled intelligence information on about 20 Protestant community workers.
The Protestant Community Workers' Association yesterday pulled out of projects involving community workers from republican areas after some members were warned by the police that the IRA had information on them.
With pressure growing on the IRA to end all paramilitary activity, the organisation said that the latest allegations "are bogus and mischievous and are being exploited in an effort to undermine public confidence. Our cessation remains intact."
Earlier, commenting on the alleged intelligence gathering, Progressive Unionist Mr William Smith said: "We can only view this as a serious breach of confidence, faith and trust.
"It is a betrayal of people involved in many years of dedicated and hard peace building ... We call on the community sector, the statutory agencies, funders, trade unions and all of civic society to speak out against this deplorable behaviour."
This morning's meeting between the Taoiseach and Mr Adams in Government Buildings comes amid some optimism in official circles that the republican movement may be willing to make a major move in the coming weeks designed to bring about a resolution of the current impasse.
This week's talks are intended to find out whether such a move is on the cards, and if so whether reciprocal gestures from the British government and Ulster Unionist Party will also be made.
Sources close to the talks said yesterday that all parties knew the outline of any deal that could result in the restoration of the North's political institutions.
The institutions have been suspended since October, with the UUP insisting that the issue of continuing IRA activity be fully dealt with before it will sit in government again with Sinn Féin.
Mr Ahern will meet the SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, in Dublin tomorrow. He will travel to London on Thursday for a meeting with the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, followed by talks with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in Downing Street. Round-table talks between the governments and the pro-agreement parties are scheduled for January 30th in Belfast.
There is considerable speculation that the IRA may be prepared both to make a major statement about its future - such as that it is to "stand down" - as well as carrying out a substantial act involving more weapons being put beyond use.
Such moves would be part of a deal also involving further police reform, a Sinn Féin decision to join the North's police boards, the dismantling of British security posts in Border areas, the vigorous implementation of equality and human rights aspects of the Belfast Agreement and a guarantee that the political institutions will begin operating again with some guarantee of long-term stability.