The Taoiseach Mr Ahern and British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair are preparing for talks today on one more push to reach agreement in the stalled peace process.
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Mr Ahern and Mr Blair
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They are expected to meet in Downing Street this evening amid growing speculation round-table talks will be held in the North this week involving the pro-agreement parties.
But with the process deadlocked over the issues of policing, IRA decommissioning, British demilitarisation and Ulster Unionist sanctions against Sinn Féin, both governments were describing the talks as "stock-taking exercises".
A Government spokeswoman said: "Following on from an intensive period of negotiations they will take stock of the process as it is at the moment and see how best to move the process forward.
"They will not be able to continue with the intensive negotiations with everyone moving into election mode. They will decide what is the best method of keeping the process alive."
British government sources were also indicating today they expected the round-table talks to go ahead.
"They will no doubt discuss the round table and will focus on issues right across the board - decommissioning, policing, security normalisation and the institutions."
PA