The Taoiseach announced today that talks between himself, the British government and Northern Ireland parties will take place in Scotland from October 11th-13th.
The talks are aimed at discussing a joint strategy to bring about the re-establishment of the power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland ahead of the November 24th deadline.
In an audio clip released on the Taoiseach's website late last night, Mr Ahern said it was "time to finish the job" and that the talks in Scotland would offer "a real opportunity to settle outstanding issues once and for all".
Mr Ahern said: "We have now reached the end point when we must give finality to our efforts.
"Northern Ireland politicians need to make up their mind whether they want to govern or not," Mr Ahern said, adding that he hopes the parties "rise to the challenge".
Mr Ahern said although both he and Prime Minister Tony Blair would do everything they could to help, if agreement cannot be reached then the two governments would move ahead in a "different way" to implement the agreement.