The Taoiseach has met every Cabinet member individually in the past fortnight to discuss the EU Commissionership, but has given no indication of his preferred nominee, according to reliable sources.
A steady stream of Ministers has gone into Mr Ahern's office in Government Buildings to be asked for opinions as to who should be appointed, and in some cases whether they would be interested themselves in the post. However, Mr Ahern is believed to have listened to the views of Ministers without giving away his own thinking on the subject.
Opinion among Ministers is divided on whether Mr Ahern will nominate a Cabinet Minister or someone from outside the Dail. A number of Ministers say they are firmly convinced that Mr Ahern will not nominate a Cabinet Minister as this would run the risk of the loss of a by-election.
Others believe he will accede to the request of the EU Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, to nominate a senior serving politician, arguing that the loss of one Dail seat would not spell disaster for the Government, as it is secure while it is supported by the four Independents who vote with it.
Among Government sources Mr Brian Cowen is seen as the favourite if the choice is made from among Cabinet Ministers. The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh, and the Minister for the Marine, Dr Michael Woods, are seen as possible contenders.
The only non-Cabinet member being mentioned seriously is the former minister, Ms Maire Geoghegan-Quinn. She is not canvassing personally for the post although it has been made known in Government circles that she would be interested in the job.
Mr Ahern is not due to talk to Mr Prodi until at least next Tuesday, and the intensity of his involvement in the Northern Ireland talks may postpone their conversation until later in the week.
Government sources say there is no urgency about the two discussing the matter early next week, as Mr Prodi is already in difficult talks with other EU member-states about the make-up of the Commission, and these are currently his priority.
Mr Prodi has said he would like to know the identities of all Commissioners by July 7th or 8th.