The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will meet British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in London next week for talks on reviving the power-sharing arrangements set out in the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair are to meet the North's political parties on Friday to try to push leaders towards a deal on restoring the Stormont Assembly.
Any deal to revive devolution would involve fresh peace commitments and acts of disarmament from the IRA, in return for a scaling back of Britain's military presence.
Talks between the parties have been under way and more are due ahead of the London meeting.
Sources said earlier in the month Mr Blair and Mr Ahern would only become involved if a deal appeared within their grasp.
But officials said today the London talks were unlikely to reach a breakthrough, particularly as Mr Ahern was due back in Ireland later on Friday to welcome US President George W. Bush, for a US-European Union summit.
Many analysts have said they believe June's series of talks will do little more than lay the groundwork for a more determined effort in the autumn.