The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has said that a deal has not yet been done on the Northern Ireland peace process.Mr Ahern was speaking at the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration ceremony in Bodenstown, Co Kildare.
Speaking in Co Kildare, Mr Ahern said: "I know there's some talk this morningthat it is a done deal. That is incorrect. Quite frankly, people saying thatonly put more pressure on various sides.
"I know people have to speculate and people want to read this and that out ofit. It's not a done deal.
"There are still at least three important issues that we need to resolve,which I'm not going to say what they are. But there are three importantissues."
The Taoiseach said meetings had been taking place around the clock in recentdays.
"I would like to think that we could tie these things up in the next coupleof days," he said.
But he warned that the governments had been "within about 50 minutes" ofsecuring a deal the last time.
He added: "We will stay at it tonight and all night if necessary. Theobstacles are surmountable but so they were the last time. We are as near againas we were the last time."
He said it was better to have difficulties now than afterwards, and that itwas better to be "very precise and very clear".
The Taoiseach was speaking to reporters after the annual Wolfe Tonecommemoration ceremony in Bowdenstown.During his speech, Mr Ahern said: "We have always said that we want electionsto take place. We did not agree to their postponement earlier this year.
"The coming days will be of crucial importance for the democratic life ofNorthern Ireland."
Mr Ahern said divisions could only be bridged if all political groups workedtogether.