The formal review of the Belfast Agreement, and its possible suspension, were on the table last night as the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, met the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, in London.
While the two governments were pledged to continue working together in the search for a resolution of the issues threatening the Good Friday accord, there were clear signs of tension in the Anglo-Irish relationship.
Over a working dinner at Downing Street, Mr Ahern and Mr Blair considered a number of options, including a formal review of the working of the agreement, as a possible "soft landing" for the process, as both sides all but abandoned hope of an early break in the decommissioning, demilitarisation and policing deadlock.
Before flying to London the Taoiseach told the Dail he did not "really believe" a breakthrough was imminent in the long-running negotiation and appeared to question whether round-table talks involving all the pro-Agreement parties, as advocated by the SDLP, would be worthwhile without "more moves" by the key parties. "I don't really believe we are in an imminent breakthrough situation," said Mr Ahern who, in an apparent signal of impatience with the Sinn Fein leadership, also told TDs: "I do not share the view that it is just a matter of saying the British government have to move on these issues. I think there is more to it than that. The parties are aware of what is on offer."
Whitehall sources had earlier confirmed "frustration and dismay" in Downing Street at a perceived reluctance by Dublin to press Sinn Fein to conclude a deal ahead of the British general election. The British government maintains it has moved sufficiently to permit the "big picture deal", involving general nationalist endorsement of the new policing arrangements, and an IRA move on decommissioning, that Mr Blair believes necessary to bolster Mr David Trimble's position ahead of a bitter and uncertain unionist contest in the forthcoming elections.
However, some Irish sources suggest the two governments may simply have attempted to achieve too much in too little time, and that the recent negotiations may have been too narrowly focused on the difficulties facing the First Minister and Ulster Unionist leader.
Patrick Smyth, Washington Correspondent, writes: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, yesterday expressed confidence in the continuity of US interest in the Irish peace process and in the new administration's determination to maintain the "legacy of evenhandedness" of its predecessor. He said he discerned "clear goodwill, interest and commitment", Mr Cowen was speaking to journalists in Washington following a meeting with the President's National Security Adviser, Dr Condoleezza Rice. He said he briefed Dr Rice on last night's meeting between Mr Ahern and Mr Blair.
Denis Staunton, in Brussels, adds:
Mr Chris Patten has rejected Sinn Fein's claim that the Northern Ireland Police Bill must be amended before nationalists can join the new police service. Mr Patten, who is the EU Commissioner for External Affairs, yesterday urged nationalists to respond to the current recruiting drive by joining the Police Service of Northern Ireland without delay.
Mr Patten, who will plans to visit Dublin next week, also called on the SDLP to back the new force, regardless of Sinn Fein's position.