The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will engage in historic face-to-face talks with DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley it has been confirmed.
The move follows Dr Paisley's decision to quit his European Parliament seat and today's announcement that the review of the Belfast Agreement was to begin on February 3rd.
Answering questions after a meeting with British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, the Taopiseach confirmed he would be meeting the DUP and Mr Paisley as part of discussion leading up to the review of the Belfast Agreement next month.
Stormont sources tonight are expecting the historic first meeting between the two in the next fortnight.
"A meeting between the DUP and the Irish Government will happen ... the mechanics are still being arranged but I would imagine that it will not take place in Dublin but possibly Belfast, London or Europe," one source said.
However, the DUP have refused to confirm the meeting. A spokesman told ireland.comthe party was prepared to talk to the Dublin Government on how best to improve relations between North and South but not on what he termed "strand one issues relating to the internal governance of Northern Ireland".
Mr Ahern had a 90-minute lunchtime meeting with Mr Blair at Downing Street during which both governments agreed they would aim to have the review of the Agreement concluded by Easter.
The DUP's negotiating team will hope to secure radical changes to the Agreement during the review including a reduction in the size of the Assembly from its current level of 108 MLAs and less government departments.
Democratic Unionist deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson tonight paid tribute to Rev Paisley, claiming Northern Ireland owed him "a debt of gratitude" for his work in Europe.
The East Belfast MP said the decision showed Mr Paisley was honouring the party's Assembly Election manifesto pledge "to work for a fair deal.
"The Democratic Unionist Party is now the only party that is capable of delivering for unionism.
After 25 years service in the European Parliament, the 77-year-old North Antrim MP insisted he was "not running away from Europe".
"I am going to be here in Northern Ireland. I am going to be in every one of these talks. Bertie Ahern will get away with nothing."
Mr Paisley's decision to quit the Europe is also seen as further evidence that the younger generation of DUP politicians are preparing to succeeded Dr Paisley who has been accused in the past of ruling the party like a dictator.
Mr Paisley's son, Ian Junior North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds are seen as the front runners for the next European election in June. Mr Peter Robinson, the party's deputy leader is seen as Dr Paisley's likely successor as party leader.
Additional reporting PA