The signing of a new British-Irish pact on seizing criminal assets is a key area for discussion between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister at lunch today in Government Buildings.
The accord will allow orders for the confiscation of criminal assets, issued by the courts in either jurisdiction, to be enforced by the British police or the Garda.
"Apart from the ceremony attached to the visit and the address to the Oireachtas, both governments are anxious that substantial agreement can be reached on critical areas, such as co-operation against crime," a Government source said.
As Ireland moves towards a 12.5 per cent rate for all businesses by 2003, Britain is reluctant to countenance changes in corporation tax being dictated by Europe at this stage.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair are expected to seek common approach to the issue. It is seen to be of particular urgency since the German government this week said it does not favour low corporation tax rates in the EU, seeing them as inimical to its plans for tackling unemployment.
The two governments are already in agreement on a code of conduct for business taxation. This code is not legally binding and focuses on special measures which provide for a lower tax rate, compared with the general business rate.
The leaders will cover a range of educational issues, from school exchanges to special needs projects, and will finalise details on a joint research initiative on autism.
The two governments are to jointly fund all the education initiatives.