The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, are planning to hold three days of intensive talks with the Northern parties in London in about three weeks' time in an effort to restore devolution to Northern Ireland, according to sources.
The two believe there is a real opportunity of a breakthrough and are prepared to dedicate three consecutive days to "proximity talks in London" despite their current hectic national and international schedules, one senior insider said last night.
No date or venue in London has yet been fixed, but the British and Irish governments hope to hold the talks shortly after the Independent Monitoring Commission adjudicates on the state of the IRA and loyalist ceasefires in less than two weeks' time.
While other parties suspect that because of the forthcoming European elections on June 10th substantial talks can't really start until the autumn, Mr Ahern and Mr Blair believe serious work can be done in London.
"They truly believe this can be cracked before June, and that is why they are giving so much time to it," said a senior source.
They were bolstered in their view yesterday by the DUP stating in new proposals that it is prepared to operate the North-South element of the Belfast Agreement as long as it is accountable to the Northern executive.
The document, entitled "North South/East West", was welcomed by the British and Irish governments and was accorded some cautious, positive comments by Sinn Féin. The document details the party's proposals for future British-Irish and cross-Border relations. The DUP also called for a 30-year moratorium on plebiscites for a united Ireland, arguing that it would allow a period of stability to develop in Northern Ireland.
"In order to create the best context to make progress we believe that there should be an agreement between the parties, backed by legislation which would prevent a border poll for the next 30 years," said Mr Nigel Dodds, the DUP MP for North Belfast.
The DUP said the key to cordial North-South and East-West relations was "accountability, accountability, accountability" with the Assembly. It stressed that successfully dealing with North-South matters first hinged on restoring devolution in the North.
"A firm foundation of mutual respect, accountability and value for money for the people of Northern Ireland will provide an environment in which the DUP will engage positively and operate agreed arrangements to consult, co-operate and implement approved action on a North-South axis," it said.
The DUP indicated it would co-operate with the North-South Ministerial Council, which it so far has boycotted. And while it still boycotts the British-Irish Parliamentary Body, it proposed the creation of a British Isles Council, comprising members from the Assembly, the Dáil, Westminster and the administrations in Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
It said that there should be greater emphasis on the British-Irish link.
Mr Martin McGuinness, in Sinn Fein's initial response, said the idea of "long-fingering a referendum on Irish unity" for 30 years was totally unacceptable. He was warmer, however in his assessment of the North-South dimension of the DUP document.
"I think it is important to recognise the DUP have addressed the all-Ireland dimension. If this represents an acceptance of the reality of the all-Ireland dimension then they should talk to us about it," he said.
Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble said that unionists had nothing to fear from a border poll. He added that the DUP was effectively endorsing the Belfast Agreement.
SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan said no one was more for effectiveness in the North-South, East-West relationships than the SDLP. "But the best way to make these institutions more effective is to give them more to do - more powers, more responsibility, more scope," he said.
