This week's Dáil agenda has fuelled speculation that the Taoiseach will call a general election in a matter of days. All of the legislation due for debate this week is far advanced and will have passed its final stages by Thursday evening.
However, speaking in Mount Juliet, Co Kilkenny, last night, Mr Ahern kept everyone guessing. Asked if there would be time this week to get through an estimated eight outstanding pieces of legislation, Mr Ahern said: "I think we have 30 Bills on the list and if we kept going until July we'd have enough to keep us going.
"This week we have a very busy week, then we'll see what happens next week and then the week after, so we'll be busy for a while." Asked if he had decided on a date for the election, he replied: "Summer."
The controversial Criminal Justice Bill on which the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has laid huge stress is due to pass all stages by the close of business this evening. It will go to the Seanad tomorrow and is due to pass all stages by Friday evening.
Tomorrow the Water Services Bill and the Medical Practitioners Bill will also pass their final stages, while on Thursday the final stages of a Childcare Bill and a Bill relating to special redundancy payments will also pass all stages.
This clearing of the decks will give the Taoiseach an opportunity to call the election later this week if he wishes to do so.
The departure of President Mary McAleese on an official visit to the United States on Saturday has fuelled speculation that the Taoiseach will seek permission from her to dissolve the Dáil before that date.
Mrs McAleese will be away for almost a week but the Taoiseach would still be able to call an election in her absence.
He would have to seek the permission of the Presidential Commission, composed of the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and the Chief Justice.
Some Fianna Fáil TDs believe that Mr Ahern may wait until early next week, to remain true to his promise not to call the election until the summer but, either way, this is likely to be the last week of real business in the 29th Dáil.
The Seanad will continue in session until the 30th Dáil is elected so important pieces of legislation like the Criminal Justice Bill will move to the Upper House for debate and ratification before becoming law.
One piece of legislation that will be deferred if the election is called this week is the Ethics Bill, which sets out new guidelines for the acceptance of gifts by politicians.
This Bill was promised by the Taoiseach as part of a deal with PD leader Michael McDowell, after the controversy last autumn over payments made to Mr Ahern in 1993/94.
The Ethics Bill is due for debate in the Seanad on Thursday and is unlikely to be passed by both houses before the election. It would be for the next government to decide whether or not to reintroduce it. Another important piece of legislation that will go into limbo if the election is called this week is the Defamation Bill, to reform the libel law, which is currently at committee stage in the Seanad.