The last pre-Christmas opportunity to break the political deadlock is likely to take place against a backdrop of new census figures detailing the expected narrowing disparity between the Catholic and Protestant populations in Northern Ireland.
The multi-party talks scheduled for Stormont next Thursday chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, may coincide with publication of the Protestant:Catholic breakdown.
The census 10 years ago showed a Protestant:Catholic ratio of 58:42 per cent but there have been predictions the Catholic population this time could be in the mid-40s, which would have implications for political developments.
Figures published at the end of September pointed to population growths in nationalist areas to the west and south in Northern Ireland and population decreases in the traditionally unionist areas to the east.
"If the figures come out before Thursday's talks they may help to concentrate minds that unionists and nationalists need to strike some sort of deal so that they can live together," said one leading objective observer in expectation of dramatic demographic shifts.
Trilateral talks are to take place at Parliament Buildings today hosted by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, and Northern Ireland Office Minister, Mr Des Browne. A British-Irish Inter-governmental Conference is scheduled for Dublin on Wednesday, followed by multi-party talks in Stormont the following day.
Political sources generally are not expecting any major move by Christmas but say that, if there is to be any chance of a breakthrough by the loose deadline of February, there must be some indications of progress early in the new year.
The SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, said it was vital that at next week's negotiations all politicians agree to a common process and share a common purpose to get "all of the agreement implemented for all of the people.
"We know all the confidence issues that we need to get our democratic institutions of government up and running again: ending paramilitarism; sharing power. The time has come to show urgency about addressing them," said Mr Durkan.
Meanwhile, the security minister Ms Jane Kennedy has announced a "thorough and comprehensive" review of security vetting arrangements in Northern Ireland in the wake of alleged IRA intelligence gathering at Castlereagh and Stormont.
"Clearly recent events have given the issue of security vetting an added focus and the review will need to take into account the results of current inquiries."
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan called on Ms Kennedy to publish the review findings.
