Sinn Fein tonight hinted the party could shift its position in the Northern Ireland peace process if British Prime Minister Tony Blair met demands for more policing reforms.
As the Taoiseach Mr Ahern prepares for a crucial meeting at Downing Street tomorrow with Mr Blair, Sinn Fein chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness said republicans would be prepared to respond positively if the British government shouldered its responsibilities under the Belfast Agreement.
As Unionists continued to demand the emptying of IRA arms dumps and an end to paramilitary activity, the mid-Ulster MP said Mr Blair was "up for acts of completion all round.
"We're for that also. I have not heard or seen anything from the British government which would indicate the British Prime Minister is up for acts of completion on policing, demilitarisation, human rights and equality.
"Maybe in the aftermath of tomorrow's meeting, we will hear a different tune being sung and if that is the case, I think all of us will be able to rise to that challenge."
Sinn Fein has billed tomorrow's meeting between Mr Blair and Mr Ahern as the most important one in the peace process for 20 years.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister are expected to analyse discussions so far with the Northern Ireland parties and map out a way to revive devolution.
British and Irish government sources tonight were being cautious about the ability to satisfy unionist demands for an end to paramilitary activity and nationalist demands for the full implementation of the Agreement.
"A lot of ideas have been kicking around from the parties," one source observed.
"What the Prime Ministers will be trying to do is find a way over the coming months to move the process forward."
PA