The Irish and British governments remain convinced that the Belfast Agreement is the only way forward in Northern Ireland, and retain the "unalterable objective" of seeing it put into effect, the Taoiseach has said.
Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, had a "detailed discussion" by phone yesterday about how matters could be advanced at their meeting in London on Tuesday. The Taoiseach also had a "lengthy" phone conversation with Senator George Mitchell about what role he could play in the agreement's review.
A Government spokesman stressed that Mr Ahern had no fixed view on what Mr Mitchell's involvement might be, but the former talks chairman is understood to be anxious to help. He has been invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday afternoon, which the spokesman said would establish "the parameters" of the review process, and the procedures for conducting it.
Although the Government was careful to avoid talk of new deadlines last night, it stressed that the review would be a "tightly focused" one. It is thought the process could be initiated in some way before the end of this month, and then picked up again in September.
Mr Ahern was last night trying to put the latest disappointment behind him. He believed the agreement had "hit a block" on its institutional aspects, his spokesman said, but he hoped that through the review process it would be possible "to find a way of addressing that problem".
Earlier, speaking outside Government Buildings, Mr Ahern said he was "obviously deeply disappointed" at the failure to establish the new institutions, and would finalise arrangements for the review process at next week's meeting with Mr Blair.
The further delay in achieving progress was a matter of concern to "everyone who is committed to peace and stability on this island," he said, but added:
"I see no useful purpose in recriminations. The reality is that political progress in Northern Ireland and the operation of the agreement depend on the willing co-operation of the parties and communities who support them. Nothing the governments can do is an adequate substitute for that.
"Each community has the right to give or withhold consent, and the consent of both communities is required for progress. It is in the power of either community to prevent progress, not just in relation to the formation of institutions, but across the board. "Northern Ireland society wants to move ahead. It is being prevented from doing so. A way has to be found of reconciling differences on how vital principles are to be implemented. The deficit in trust and confidence must be addressed, as nothing will move without it."
Finding a way to implement the agreement in full would be the "sole focus" of the two governments as they prepared for the review process, Mr Ahern said.
He also expressed regret at the resignation of Mr Seamus Mallon, and praised his "outstanding role in the development of the peace process and the evolution of the new politics" which led to the agreement.
"In his capacity as deputy first minister-designate, he has worked tirelessly and with his customary enormous political skill, wisdom and integrity to promote the implementation of the agreement. The people of this island, north and south, owe him a deep debt of gratitude for the tremendous contribution he has made."
