The Government is expecting an IRA response in the next four weeks to Gerry Adams's call on the organisation to embrace fully peace and democracy, according to a senior Dublin source.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who has held a number of recent secret meetings with the Sinn Féin president, fears that if an answer is not forthcoming shortly, there will be little realistic prospect of a comprehensive agreement in the medium and possibly the long-term, sources said.
"The Taoiseach believes an answer is required before Drumcree Sunday on July 10th," said the Dublin source. "Otherwise we will be into the marching season and the chances of a deal could be gone. He believes the IRA should respond in the next two to three weeks.
"One important reason why republicans should move quickly is that Gerry Adams knows that the best chance of sealing a deal is with Tony Blair rather than his prospective successor Gordon Brown, who has shown no particular interest in the peace process," he added.
Mr Ahern intends holding a meeting with British prime minister Tony Blair before the end of the month, and also plans to meet the DUP shortly, possibly next week.
Since January Mr Ahern held two publicised meetings with Mr Adams.
Three other confidential meetings were also held since then where, sources said, Mr Ahern reinforced to Mr Adams that to deliver an agreement that would restore devolution required a clear, unambiguous response from the IRA.
"That would require decommissioning and a clear commitment to end all activity including criminality.
"Subsequently, a third commitment on policing, which would have to come from Sinn Féin rather than the IRA, would also be required," said the Dublin source.
The source said that Mr Adams and Martin McGuinness had held several meetings with republicans to brief them on what was expected from the IRA and the political possibilities for Sinn Féin should the IRA disarm and end all activity.
A Sinn Féin spokesman last night confirmed Mr Adams's meetings with Mr Ahern but said they were held at Mr Adams's request. Sinn Féin also met Mr Blair, the spokesman added.
The Dublin source said it was unlikely that the IRA in its statement would demand reciprocal moves from the British and Irish governments.
It was implicit from the Taoiseach's meetings with Mr Adams, however, that Sinn Féin expected movement on a range of matters such as demilitarisation and dramatically reduced British troop levels in Northern Ireland should the IRA respond positively.
Effectively standing down the IRA could require an IRA convention to endorse such a move. No such convention has yet taken place, it is understood.
However, one expert on republican rules said it could be possible to take such a decision without holding a convention.
