The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is likely to be asked to clarify his constitutional proposals on Northern Ireland when he meets delegations to the Stormont talks today. The visit is expected to be broadly similar to that conducted by the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, with each delegation having a meeting with the Taoiseach, planned to last about 10 minutes.
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, yesterday put down a marker against any redefinition of the nation, as has been suggested in some quarters.
"No Irish government can change the Irish Constitution in a way which seeks to change the definition of the Irish nation as being the island of Ireland - all 32 counties," he told a republican commemoration in Co Cork.
The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, confirmed he would be meeting the Taoiseach, adding that it would be "more a social thing than anything else", although there might be a limited opportunity for more detailed discussion.
There has been some infighting among nationalist parties over the Taoiseach's itinerary.
Following representations by members of the SDLP, the Taoiseach has included a visit to Belfast City Hall and a meeting with the SDLP Lord Mayor, Mr Alban Maginness, in his schedule. He will also meet cross-community groups at City Hall. Mr Ahern will also see both the present and former MPs for West Belfast, Mr Adams and Dr Joe Hendron respectively.
But cross-party solidarity was evident yesterday in south Armagh when senior members of the main nationalist parties addressed a protest rally against the level of activity by the security forces in the area.
Dr Rory O'Hanlon of Fianna Fail, Mr Seamus Mallon of the SDLP and Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein were among the speakers at a rally organised by the South Armagh Farmers' and Residents' Association outside the British army lookout post at Glassdrummond. Mr Mallon said the people of the area had to contend with 300 helicopter flights a day. He said the huge British army presence represented the mentality of war in a situation where there was a growing peace.
Mr McGuinness said Mr Blair and Dr Mo Mowlam must face down the "securocrats" who were, in effect, running Northern Ireland and were responsible for the militarisation of south Armagh.
Dr O'Hanlon said people on the southern side of the Border were also affected by incessant helicopter flights and were being watched from the security towers.
In a statement, the RUC announced that the Border checkpoint at Cloghogue on the Newry to Dundalk road is to be removed.
Meanwhile, a British Labour councillor and member of the party's Agreed Ireland Forum, Mr Steve Jones, has called on the Conservatives to distance themselves from weekend remarks by a Tory backbencher, Mr Andrew Hunter.
He told the conference of the UK Unionist Party that Labour's policies on Northern Ireland were straining the bipartisan approach in the House of Commons.
The UUP security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, said his party was "deeply concerned" at the murder of GAA official Mr Gerry Devlin in Glengormley on Friday night. He said the British government had "some of Gerry Devlin's blood on its hands insofar as it has singularly failed to engender confidence across the community."
Adams want end to British claim on North: page 4 Murder of GAA official: page 5