The Taoiseach was today continuing his round of meetings with Northern Ireland's political leaders in the search for a breakthrough in the peace process deadlock.
Mr Ahern is due to meet SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan in Dublin this evening following the third session of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation since it was reconvened in Dublin Castle.
Mr Durkan last night held talks with the Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy in London.
But the key meeting this week is expected to be the talks between Mr Ahern and British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair in Downing Street.
After they met Mr Ahern yesterday, Sinn Féin's leaders Mr Gerry Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness said tomorrow's Downing Street meeting was crucial for efforts to revive the peace process.
Mr McGuinness said it was the most crucial meeting in the peace process for 20 years.
Republicans have been under pressure to announce an end to all paramilitary activity by the IRA in a bid to advance the peace process.
However, Sinn Féin has insisted that any move by the IRA has to be done in conjunction with unionists and the two governments implementing the Belfast Agreement in its entirety.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair are expected tomorrow to make an assessment of the likelihood of devolution being restored.
The Northern Ireland Assembly and power sharing executive have been in suspension since October and the North ruled by direct rule ministers from Westminster.
PA