The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will meet the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in Luxembourg later today after an apparent breakthrough in the Government's relationship with the Ulster Unionist Party.
Mr Ahern emerged from nearly 2 1/2 hours of discussions with the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, in London yesterday clearly convinced they had begun a serious engagement on the substantive issues central to any political settlement in Northern Ireland.
Mr Ahern and Mr Trimble were clearly anxious not to raise expectations, or to underestimate the obstacles to political agreement on such vexed questions as balanced constitutional change or future cross-Border links. However, at separate press conferences after their meeting at the Sheraton Belgravia Hotel in London, each claimed a "better understanding" of the other's position and both committed themselves to hold further meetings.
At his press conference at the Irish Embassy, Mr Ahern described the meeting between the two six-strong delegations as "very good" and "extremely useful" and expressed the hope that it had laid the basis "for close contact, constructive dialogue and considerable progress".
A short time later at the House of Commons, and to the surprise of many commentators, Mr Trimble offered no contradictory assessment, instead describing the encounter variously as "realistic", "practical" and "somewhat encouraging".
There was no suggestion that the two sides had resolved their differences on the question of Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution or the executive nature of any future cross-Border bodies.
But the Taoiseach reiterated the Government's commitment to amend the Constitution as part of an overall settlement, and told Mr Trimble he was "open-minded" about UUP proposals for an arrangement which would permit members of a Scottish parliament and a Welsh assembly to join counterparts from Belfast, London and Dublin in considering matters of mutual interest within the wider context of these islands.
At the same time Mr Ahern made clear the Government's view that the North-South relationship remained paramount.
"We consider it absolutely necessary that North-South dimensions in a realistic, meaningful and transparent role be part of whatever agreement we conclude. We require that so we can successfully have stability in whatever agreement there is for the long term," he said.
On the issue of Articles 2 and 3, Mr Ahern would say only: "We discussed these issues in great detail. We have already set down our compromises at this stage on those issues as per Article 21 of the Joint Framework Document."
That obviously wasn't enough for Mr Trimble who, when asked if he was satisfied that the Constitution would be changed, said: "I wouldn't want to pitch it as high as that, but I think they have a better understanding of what it is we need. Whether they are going to reciprocate remains to be seen."
However, it was confirmed again last night that the Government is actively considering possible amendments to Articles 2 and 3, and that the consideration of the options extends beyond the recommendations of the 1967 Review of the Constitution. Sources say the problem with the 1967 review was that it would have amended the territorial claim while leaving the definition of "the national territory" intact.
If that supports Mr Trimble's view that he and Mr Ahern are getting to "the red meat" of the constitutional issue, it also underlines the precarious nature of the Government's position as it attempts to engage the unionists while keeping faith with the SDLP and with Sinn Fein.
The Taoiseach indicated that he will meet the leaders of the SDLP and Sinn Fein in Dublin next Friday, and that he will have meetings at the Stormont talks venue during the week beginning December 8th. He will meet Mr Blair again at the EU summit on December 12th, and then travel to Washington the following week to brief President Clinton. Mr Ahern was accompanied yesterday by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, and senior officials. Mr Trimble was accompanied by three MPs, Mr John Taylor, Mr Ken Maginnis and Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, and two councillors Mr Reg Empey and Ms Patricia Campbell.