The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, is expected to visit Omagh this afternoon to express his sympathy with those bereaved and injured by the August 15th bomb attack. He will visit the Republic tomorrow to meet the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and may then return to the North for meetings with party leaders.
During his Omagh visit, Mr Blair is likely to announce his government's new measures to contain and suppress paramilitary groups. There is strong speculation that the British parliament will be recalled next week to enact the proposed legislative changes.
This will be Mr Blair's first visit to Omagh since the blast which killed 28 people. He will be accompanied by the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam.
Mr Blair will give an outline of the new legal measures. He is also expected to stress the continuing need for progress on the political front, part of a "twin-track" approach to the peace process.
Although "all options", including the possible use of phone-tap evidence in court against paramilitaries, are under consideration, the main focus remains on changing the law to make it easier to convict persons accused of belonging to proscribed groups, such as the `Real IRA'.
There is continuing speculation about an immediate crackdown on the `Real IRA' and any other paramilitaries who remain active once the legislative changes have been enacted. However, the threat from the Continuity IRA may have receded with the reported defection of key activists, including a senior figure in Co Monaghan to the `Real IRA'.
In Dublin, the Government and Opposition parties have agreed to recall the Dail tomorrow week for an all-day sitting to deal with legislation on the new security package.
The Seanad will be recalled the following day to debate the measure, before it is referred for the Presidential signature.
The venue for Mr Blair's meeting with Mr Ahern south of the Border had not been confirmed last night. The Government had been considering holding the meeting outside Dublin but questions of security and the need for suitable landing facilities may prevent this.
If, as expected, Mr Blair then returns to Northern Ireland he is thought likely to stay for the rest of the week.
It is understood he will devote the bulk of his time this week to the Northern problem. "Whatever needs to be done this week, he will do," senior political sources said.
When President Bill Clinton arrives in the North next week, he is expected to include Omagh in his itinerary. A White House advance team visited Stormont yesterday to discuss preparations for the visit. However, political sources were playing down the possibility of a major breakthrough in the peace process during the visit.