The Taoiseach has said the Northern Assembly may operate for some months without an executive.
In an interview to be broadcast on BBC1 today, Bertie Ahern said the aim was to have a fully functioning power-sharing assembly.
However, he said that the lack of an agreement should not stop the assembly meeting for a few months as there is work for it to do.
His comments come as the Irish and British governments prepare to unveil their plans for restoring Stormont.
