The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has flatly denied claims by the Northern Ireland Office that the Irish and British governments will propose establishing a six-month transitional executive in a bid to resolve the deadlock over decommissioning.
Earlier yesterday such a proposal was confirmed by the NIO but last night the Taoiseach repositioned himself closer to the Sinn Fein argument with a warning that procrastination could result in deeper difficulties.
Speaking to journalists at Government Buildings last night, Mr Ahern said he would meet the British prime minister, Mr Tony Blair, on Thursday but this proposal "is not part of what we are talking about".
"Referring it back for six months is not our preferred option or on the agenda," Mr Ahern added.
Since the Hillsborough Declaration on April 1st, he and Mr Blair have been in constant contact - right up to last weekend - but "we don't have a fix on a draft that would be acceptable to the parties".
"We should to it in the short-term . . . The parties are anxious that we should move in the short-term," he added. The European Parliament election campaign was looming, along with the prospect of the marching season and the Drumcree flashpoint.
"If Drumcree goes wrong, that spirals into other issues. Everyone is trying. Mr Trimble and Mr Adams are definitely trying. The others are prepared to be supportive. This will be our third week of trying. We should not let it drift over the summer. We are running out of time. We should try and do it," the Taoiseach added.
Mr Ahern last spoke to Mr Blair on Saturday, but it is understood that the proposal for the transitional executive was not discussed.
Against a backdrop of confusion about the respective stances of the Northern Ireland Office and the Government, the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, is due to meet parties at Stormont today.
The three main parties then meet the two governments in Downing Street on Thursday. Sources indicated that the transitional executive would be on the agenda.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair will cohost separate meetings with senior members of each party, including Mr David Trimble and Mr Gerry Adams.
Under the proposal for a transitional executive, Ulster Unionist, Sinn Fein, DUP and SDLP ministers would be nominated to such a body while both governments applied pressure on Sinn Fein to deliver a start to IRA decommissioning. Full powers would not be transferred without some movement on decommissioning.
Confirming the plan would be put to the parties, a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said a six-month transitional executive was "one of a range of options" on the table, but ultimately it was for the parties to decide on the way forward.
"It's not a cunning plan that someone's going to pull out of the hat. It is similar to what was put forward by Monica McWilliams. It will be on the table and whoever wants to comment on it can," the spokesman said.
Ulster Unionist senior negotiator Sir Reg Empey refused to comment specifically on the proposals. `There have been variations along the same lines floating around for weeks but because of the sensitivities involved I would prefer to wait to see the actual plans that the government puts to the parties," he said.
Sinn Fein chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said any attempt by the two governments to link decommissioning with Sinn Fein's position in the executive would be dishonest.