Talks in Dublin tonight between the Taoiseach and Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and its chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness lasted for almost four hours - some four times longer than expected.
The length of the discussions, ahead of tomorrow's meeting between Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister Mr Blair, were seen as a signal of intent by both sides to get engaged in dialogue over the issues stalling the peace process.
But afterwards there was no obvious indication that any form of breakthrough had been achieved.
Mr Adams said his party, like all the others, would have to "wait and see" what was in the package on Northern Ireland due to be presented by the two governments.
He said: "We put it to the both the Taoiseach and Foreign Minister Brian Cowen that the British Government has a huge role to play in developing confidence among people north and south who voted for the Good Friday agreement, that it is an international treaty, that it has been endorsed and is the peoples' agreement.
"The role of the Irish Government, of course, is to ensure that everyone - particularly the British Government - lives up to their responsibilities and obligations."
After tonight's exchanges, Government sources said the main purpose of tomorrow's meeting between Mr Blair and Mr Ahern would be to decide when the package would be put to the parties, and whether it would be published.
The meeting is unlikely to be a long one as Mr Ahern is due back in Dublin to chair an early afternoon cabinet meeting.
PA