A final agreement will not be reached in today's resumed talks involving the Irish and British governments and Northern Ireland parties, senior government sources believed last night.
Following a day of "good progress", the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is, however, hopeful that all of the parties will have enough to take away from the negotiations to put to their respective memberships.
The decision to adjourn shortly before 10 p.m. last night was not an indication that a log-jam existed, one source told The Irish Times: "Rather, people wanted to let things sit for a few hours, instead of risking it by going through the night."
During a hectic day, Mr Ahern and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen held a round of meetings, separately and together, with the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, the Northern Secretary of State, Mr Paul Murphy and the NI party leaders.
Questioned about Mr Ahern's view of the talks, a Government spokeswoman said: "He is quite pleased with the way that the day went. There were very intense discussions involving all sides."
Under the legislation covering the Northern Assembly, a decision has to be made by March 21st if the elections are to be held on May 1st. However, it is possible that the date could be set without a formal agreement by all sides.
"If people have indicated that they are ready to go for it and if they have said so publicly, the elections could be called. Something similar happened with the Good Friday Agreement," a Government source declared.
However, the timetable is complicated by the fact that the Taoiseach, along with Mr Trimble, the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, and other senior Northern political figures, will be in Washington for most, if not all, of next week.
Sinn Féin's annual ardfheis is set for the end of the month, but the Government believes the party may need to hold a special delegate conference to approve the party's membership of the Policing Board.
"A lot of today has been about trying to narrow the differences that exist," a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman commented. "Progress has been made but there are still some big issues outstanding, including the whole issue of sanctions."
The 28-page document, including an eight-page declaration of intent by all sides along with five chapters dealing with the key outstanding issues, was "still a work in progress", he said.
"People were not asked to say whether they agreed with this page or that page. It is the usual story that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed," the official commented.
However, the document may not be made public unless substantial progress is made during the course of today's talks. "The presentation of a document may not happen. We may have to come another day," he said.
Despite the hopes expressed by some quarters, the Government believes the negotiations will continue for all of today. "If there is a day available, it will be filled," said one source.
Questioned about the declaration by the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, that sanctions were "a deal-breaker" for his party, the spokesman said Sinn Féin held entirely contradictory views.
Under the proposal covering "on the run" paramilitaries, the Government insists there is no question of an amnesty being offered - though people affected will be covered by the Belfast Agreement's early release rules.
