The Taoiseach has emphasised that the resignations of the UUP ministers are not irrevocable as he prepares for a meeting in Belgium tonight with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, will have talks in Dublin this morning with the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, on the latest development. Mr Ahern and Mr Blair will meet on the margins on an EU summit.
While the Taoiseach last night described the resignations as a "setback", Government sources said they did not think Mr David Trimble's widely expected move would damage attempts to obtain movement from the IRA on decommissioning.
The sources also speculated that while Mr Trimble has just seven days in which to reverse the resignations, the cumbersome procedure for replacing the ministers might mean there was a breathing space of up to a fortnight. However, the move has added urgency to political contacts due today and over the weekend.
Pointing out that the resignations were not irrevocable, the Taoiseach said that he hoped the UUP ministers would be able to resume their positions "as quickly as possible". Nevertheless, the resignations were a "disappointment" and a "setback in our efforts to achieve full implementations of the agreement".
He paid tribute to the UUP ministers, saying they had "played a valuable and effective role not only in the institutions in Northern Ireland, but also in the work of the North-South Ministerial Council".
Mr Ahern said that the Irish and British governments would continue to work together and with the Northern parties. "We remain steadfast in our goal - full implementation of all aspects of the agreement."