The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last night he was still hopeful there could be a successful conclusion to the Mitchell review in spite of the setback it encountered yesterday.
In an interview in his hotel room in New York, where he is on an official visit, Mr Ahern said the main issue was whether or not Mr Trimble "could get all his people together". He was concerned that any further delay on an agreement on decommissioning and the setting up of an executive could allow for "divilment", as he put it.
He had been in touch with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, as well as with his own officials, the Taoiseach said. He would be talking to Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams later.
When the talks resume today he hoped the positions put by the leaders of the various groups "will be supported by their respective colleagues so that Senator Mitchell can complete his review."
Otherwise, the Taoiseach said, "we are not going to implement the Good Friday Agreement and I think that would be a terrible mistake".
Mr Ahern hoped that today, "people can give" a little bit more. If the Mitchell review goes wrong, we're back where we were all year, but if it goes right there will be an enormous amount of action between now and Christmas.