The Taoiseach is to be in contact again soon with the British Prime Minister following their latest telephone conversation. Mr Ahern yesterday had a 15minute conversation with Mr Tony Blair during which they discussed how to proceed between now and September 15th, the planned date for all-party talks.
The Taoiseach's spokesman said the leaders "followed up on the talks" between the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, earlier this week.
Britain remains "relatively optimistic" about the prospects for the peace process despite Thursday's planting of a car-bomb in Co Fermanagh.
The "friendly and positive" conversation was not a direct response to the incident but part of continuing contacts between their offices, Downing Street said. Dr Mowlam has condemned the planting of the bomb and ordered a full security briefing. It is understood that both leaders are "optimistic" that the Ulster Unionists appear willing to maintain their presence at the talks.
The issue of "confidence-building measures" was dealt with in the meeting between Dr Mowlam and Mr Burke but was not discussed in any detail by the Taoiseach and Mr Blair.
Sources said the two would remain in contact in the coming weeks although they are "technically on holidays". Mr Ahern returned from the Galway Races to deal with Northern and other business.
Meanwhile, a former Northern Ireland secretary, Mr Tom King, reacted to the incident with anger. He called upon Mr Blair to impress upon Sinn Fein that the IRA's ceasefire "must be total. It is unacceptable to have fringe, proxy groups conducting such activities and for Sinn Fein-IRA to stand back and distance themselves from it".