The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has again set February as the target date for the restoration of the Stormont Executive. The move would be the precursor to fresh Assembly elections in May.
In New Lanark, Scotland, for yesterday's fourth meeting of the British-Irish Council (BIC), established under the Belfast Agreement, Mr Ahern struck an upbeat note, insisting that the inter-party talks, begun in Belfast on Thursday, had got off to "an excellent start". He said the February deadline - first mooted by Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble - was realistic.
"I always feel happier when we are back and engaged," he said.
"We are looking at the problems and trying to find solutions to them. I think we all want the ultimate prize, to live in a society of peace and stability in the island of Ireland."
Yesterday's meeting was chaired by Scotland's First Minister, Mr Jack McConnell, and was mainly focused on the issue of social inclusion.
With Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Prescott forced to remain in London because of the firefighters' strike, the British government was represented by the leader of the House of Commons, Mr Robin Cook.
First Minister Mr Rhodri Morgan represented the Welsh Assembly, alongside representatives from Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Given the suspension of the Assembly and Executive, Northern Ireland was represented by Secretary of State Mr Paul Murphy.
The council noted the suspension of the Assembly with regret and looked forward to the restoration of the devolved institutions as soon as possible. Belfast is scheduled to host the next meeting of the BIC.
Mr Ahern and Mr McConnell insisted that the joint Irish-Scottish bid to host the European soccer championships in 2008 was firmly on track.
The Taoiseach said he believed Ireland would have no difficulty providing the necessary stadiums, and said he hoped the GAA would democratically resolve the obstacle of its ban on soccer.
However, Mr Ahern was cautious about the strength of the bid, admitting that a number of other bids were in strong contention.
Scotland and Wales take the lead within the BIC on the issue of social inclusion, and in particular financial inclusion, which provided the theme of yesterday's discussions just outside Glasgow.
The council recognised that problems of social and financial exclusion affect communities throughout all the BIC administrations.
The meeting highlighted a range of strategies that members were working on to combat these problems.
Members reiterated their commitment to promoting social inclusion across all the member administrations of the council.