There are understood to be significant signs of progress following yesterday's vote by Sinn Féin to end its policy of non-support for the PSNI.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has detailed how he would be urging his constituents to co-operate with the police.
And DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson welcomed the vote as a significant step.
Earlier, the Taoiseach said there was no reason not to proceed with the establishment of a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland and that it would be inexcusable not to 'get on with it'.
Mr Ahern paid tribute to the leadership of the republican movement for the steps they took.
He said there was now a responsibility on the British government and the DUP to ensure that progress was made in the peace process.
Earlier, it emerged that Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, will assess the situation in the peace process when they meet tomorrow.
On RTÉ Radio's News at One, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said it was necessary for the DUP to be positive in relation to power-sharing, and also for Sinn Féin to move as soon as possible to take its place on the policing board and oversight mechanisms.
Mr Ahern said the timescales for the peace process were set in stone, and the two governments will assess up to 26 March whether there is enough progress to proceed with elections and power-sharing.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said the prime minister welcomed 'this historic decision' and recognised the leadership it has taken to get to this point.
The PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, said everybody was entitled to a policing service that could be accessed on an equal and equitable basis.
He said no ideology or individual should stand between the public and the police and that the community is entitled to have its public representatives hold the police to account.
He also said he believes that 'the community has recognised for some time now the value and importance of the professional and dedicated service provided by PSNI on a daily basis.’
Hain warns over elections
The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, has said it would be a tragedy if Sinn Féin and the DUP contrived to find a reason not to do the deal for a devolved government.
But he also warned the parties he would only trigger Assembly elections for March when he was certain they would live up to their commitments.
The Ulster Unionist leader, Sir Reg Empey, described the Sinn Féin vote as a massive step change in the republican psyche.
The DUP leader, Ian Paisley, said the Sinn Féin decision meant the time for true, visible and open support for the police and law enforcement had arrived.
Mr Paisley said anything less than full implementation of Sinn Féin commitments would render the Ard-Fheis vote valueless.
Ian Paisley Jnr of the DUP said the move was an interesting development.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, he said that Sinn Féin had to stop procrastinating. He added that the ball remained in Sinn Féin's court.
