The US special adviser on Northern Ireland, Mr Richard Haass, is today meeting the Government in an effort to restore devolution at Stormont.
Mr Haass was expected to meet the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, in separate meetings in Dublin and pledge the US's continued support for efforts to resolve devolution.
He was also expected to discuss the Iraq crisis with them amid protests that the refuelling of US jets at Shannon Airport contravenes neutrality.
Mr Haass met Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy in London yesterday as parties in Belfast prepared themselves up for next week's talks involving the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and Mr Ahern.
British and Irish government officials have been anxious to portray next week's talks not so much as the end in efforts for devolution but as a staging post.
PA