As pessimism grows, the British and Irish governments face a major challenge in persuading Northern parties that a comprehensive deal is possible at Leeds Castle in Kent next week.
The governments and the main parties to a deal, Sinn Féin and the DUP, still say that agreement is achievable but the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, know they must exert greater pressure on the parties to enhance the chances of a breakthrough.
There were a number of bilateral meetings at Parliament Buildings in Stormont yesterday, where the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, also met a number of the parties. As the DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, and Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, spoke of their commitment to a deal publicly and privately, some politicians conceded it would be difficult to forge an all-embracing accord.
Mr Robinson also spoke about making "real progress at Leeds Castle" rather than finalising a deal. Equally Mr McGuinness spoke of Sinn Féin and the DUP striking a deal "at some stage in the future".
To conclude agreement, there must be closure on the central issues, as outlined by Mr Blair yesterday: decommissioning, the end of IRA activity, and unionists sharing power with Sinn Féin. Mr Blair's other comment - that if agreement was not achieved in the talks, then some form of alternative way forward must be found - added to a diminishing expectation among Northern parties.
Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness has accused the Northern Secretary of personally authorising the bugging of a key member of Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams's staff, which was revealed on Monday. He said people must not underestimate the effect of this bugging, which was a "very serious breach of faith by the British government".
The Northern Ireland Office would make no comment about Mr McGuinness's claim.
