Amid continuing anxiety over the crisis in the peace process, the Taoiseach is expected to visit Chequers, the country residence of the British Prime Minister, for dinner on Saturday night.
The visit, described by Government sources as "social", is due to take place after the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London which Mr Ahern will attend with Mr Blair.
Responding to the Ulster Unionist Party's warning that it would not change its position on decommissioning, the Taoiseach yesterday said the UUP seemed to misunderstand the situation over the proposed devolution of powers by June 30th.
After reading the UUP statement of Monday night, he came to the conclusion the UUP believed it was being asked to forgo the decommissioning issue. However, the proposal to break the deadlock worked out in Downing Street last Friday did not represent "a resolution" to decommissioning.
Instead, it envisaged that the d'Hondt mechanism would be triggered tomorrow, allowing for the establishment of the executive. However, the parties would continue to deal with the chairman of the International Decommissioning Body, GenJohn de Chastelain, in an effort to resolve decommissioning.
According to Mr Ahern, Mr David Trimble, along with the other parties, "had a job to do . . . He had to sell it to his party". Asked if he approved of Mr Blair's decision to establish June 30th as a deadline, the Taoiseach said the Prime Minister believed it was "imperative" to do so.
Responding to questions as to whether there was a "Plan B" if the next deadline slipped, the Taoiseach said there was none. ail and Seanad next Wednesday.