The Taoiseach will have a round of informal talks with the pro-agreement parties in the North at the weekend, in an attempt to narrow the areas of disagreement. Mr Ahern will talk to politicians in a final series of contacts in advance of the calling of a British general election. The aim, according to Government sources, is to ensure that a clear and short agenda is ready for resolution in the short period between the expected election date of June 7th and the main marching season in the North a month later.
Government sources say they believe that agreement on the outstanding issues relating to policing, demilitarisation, paramilitary weapons and the operation of the political institutions can be reached during that time.
In relation to policing, Mr Ahern told the Dail yesterday he could not see nationalists being recruited successfully to the new police force in Northern Ireland until there was political agreement.
"Realistically, it would be very difficult for young nationalists to be put in the dilemma of joining up and commencing their training, without a clear message from the parties to whom they would have at least a broad political allegiance", he said.
In relation to the "Real IRA", he said he had "no information to suggest that there is any more than a limited group involved". He disputed a US government report which Fine Gael TD Mr Jim Higgins said had reported a "huge increase" in membership of the organisation. "I am always concerned that such reports can glamorise an organisation and provide it with favourable propaganda", he said.
He also welcomed Mr Martin McGuinness's decision to tell the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday of his past role in the IRA. "It is very much seen as in the spirit of the Saville inquiry that Mr Martin McGuinness is putting his position to help in the process of finding the truth", he said.