The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell has warned that there was more hope than confidence of a successful outcome to the current impasse in the NorthernIreland peace process.
"The whole process is very much in the balance," Mr McDowell told reportersin Dublin.
He said the Taoiseach Mr Ahern and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen returned early from this week's EU summit in Athens "more in hope than inconfidence".
Mr McDowell also said he believed elections would go ahead next month as planned even if there was no declaration on proposals to implement the Belfast Agreement.
He warned however that without it the whole project may have to be shelved for many months.
Asked whether the situation had come to the end of the line, he added: "We would never say that but it is very difficult.
"It will be even more difficult if there is no agreement on full implementation before the whistle is blown for the start of the election campaign."
Mr McDowell was speaking as urgent talks continued between the Irish and British governments and the Pro-Agreement parties in a bid to find a solution tothe situation.
Mr Ahern appealed last night to the parties to give the governments more time.
PA