The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, last night affirmed their belief that there is "no reasonable alternative" to the Good Friday accord.
"Pending the re-establishment of the institutions", Mr Ahern pledged they would continue to implement all other outstanding elements of the Belfast Agreement within their competence "resolutely".
But the measure of the political impasse following Friday's suspension was laid bare by the failure of the two leaders to announce agreement on a review process or how otherwise to proceed.
Mr Blair, looking strained, flagged that failure by telling reporters: "Today wasn't the day we were going to do anything other than discuss what the parameters of the problem were, and how we could resolve it.
"It was a day that was very necessary in allowing us to discuss it between ourselves and also make sure that all the parties were committed, and recommitted themselves, to making sure that this agreement works."
Mr Blair said the parties had done that.
"So there's been a setback. None of us wanted to suspend the institutions. None of us want them to remain suspended a moment longer than they need to do.
"Last Friday's report by the Independent Commission on Decommissioning was a big advance, but we need to know exactly what it means.
"We need that clarity, as we've been saying all the way through."
Clearly still not reconciled to suspension, the Taoiseach recalled the assessment of the international commission last Nov ember which said "while decommissioning is an essential element of the agreement, the context in which it can be achieved is the overall implementation of that agreement."
And he repeated the "collective responsibility" of all parties in that regard referred to in that assessment.
Mr Ahern continued: "In line with both these principles and the need for the full implementation of the agreement, I believe that the operation of the institutions and disposal of arms under the mandate of the international commission should both proceed. "The Prime Minister and I are convinced that there is no reasonable alternative to the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement and, pending the reestablishment of the institutions, we will continue to implement resolutely all the outstanding elements of it within our responsibility."
Mr Blair said both were convinced the agreement was the way to a lasting peace.
"There is no other way," he declared: "It's got to be done and we've got to make sure that it is done. "It remains the best chance in a generation for peace in Northern Ireland, therefore we've got to press forward with its implementation."
Mr Blair said he would not pretend this was not a difficult situation, adding that he wasn't interested in "the blame game."
Devolution was working, said Mr Blair: "People enjoyed that experience and it's what we're committed to bringing about. We've had these setbacks before.
"I'm not saying this isn't serious but we've had them before and we've always managed to find from within ourselves the will and the determination and the means to put the process together again, and move it forward."
Mr Ahern said the discussions with the other parties had been useful, and he believed the principles agreed by them last June remained valid.
These were:
an inclusive executive, exercising devolved powers.
decommissioning of all paramilitary arms by May 2000.
decommissioning to be carried out in a manner determined by the independent commission.