A six-week window of opportunity to save the Belfast Agreement appears to have been created by Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble.
Mr Trimble said he expected the de Chastelain Commission to publish a report in the next 48 hours indicating that the IRA had not made a significant move on decommissioning which in turn would lead to his resignation on Sunday.
But the Ulster Unionist Party leadersaid that there was provision for the institutions set up under the terms of the Belfast Agreement to continue for six weeks after his resignation and that arrangements will be made to allow this happen.
"As from Sunday, there will be six weeks, after that the agreement collapses," Mr Trimble said.
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The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair emerged from the talks late this evening and expressed their determinationto find a resolution despite there being no indications of a breakthrough.
The series of bilateral talks featuring all the major pro-Agreements parties remained stuck on the issues of arms decommissioning, demilitarisation and police reform.
In an indication that there may be some life left in the Agreement, a further round of discussions, initiallychaired by the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, will begin next week.
The Taoiseach and Mr Blair have pledged to become involved at alter date with sources suggesting this will happen in hte next fortnight.
"There seems to be plans for an all out push to move the peace process forward. Although it has to be said that there did not seem to be any great optimism about the prospects of a breakthrough." a source said.
Mr Trimble said the report from the de Chastelain Commission would be a challenge to the British and Irish governments.
"It is very clear that there is a responsibility on them to ensure that the Agreement is kept and if it cannot be kept, then we all have some very serious thought to do. As to the alternative we are ready to explore that," Mr Trimble said.
Speaking before entering Hillsborough Castle for discussions with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Trimble confirmed that Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon would also lose his position.
"There will be no First Minister or Deputy First Minister until fresh elections," Mr Trimble said, referring to his expected resignation on Sunday.
He reacted angrily when questioned as to whether he would nominate someone to carry out executive functions in the absence of the First Minister and his deputy but his comments indicate that an `administrator' of some description will need to be appointed.
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon: "There has got to be a very serious approach taken immediately by the two governments and all of the political parties so that we can begin to deal with the seriousness of this problem.
"But let's make no mistake about it, this is a serious political problem. It is a serious problem on the ground and some of the political parties are playing with people's well-being and the well-being of the Agreement."
Earlier, Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said it was "make your mind up time" in the peace process. He said the two governments must decide if they are going to support First Minister Mr David Trimble or go back the basic principles of the Belfast Agreement.
additional reporting PA