DIFFERENCES between the Irish and British governments over the timing of the Northern Assembly elections are expected to surface when the Taoiseach and the British prime minister meet in London on Wednesday.

The two men will meet to review the current state of the peace process and plan a programme of action for the autumn.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is now adamant that the twice-postponed assembly elections will have to take place in the autumn, but Tony Blair has refused to commit to a specific date, preferring to state that they will take place as soon as possible.

The Taoiseach was unequivocal after his meeting with Blair at the EU summit last weekend in Thessaloinka that the elections should not be postponed again, but Blair has refused to agree on a date.

The Irish government believes that a decision on the date of an election is required to get movement from republicans on "acts of completion" which they failed to deliver on back in April.

"We don't think we can get back to a realistic chance of 'acts of completion' until an election date is set. That should give the bounce that is needed for republicans to act, " said one government source.

Blair takes precisely the opposite view, believing that if a date is set for elections in the autumn the pressure on republicans to deliver will evaporate. He also takes the view that setting a date would be bad negotiating tactics and would take the pressure off republicans.

The difference of opinion will be thrashed out in private on Wednesday and while the two men are hoping to avoid a public spat, it may not be possible unless a compromise is reached.

The day's agenda will begin with a meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, and the Northern Secretary, Paul Murphy, who will review the progress made to date on the Joint Declaration agreed by the two governments in April.

One of the elements of the declaration was a commitment to establish an international monitoring body to oversee the end of paramilitary activity on the island of Ireland. Legislation will be required in the Dáil and the House of Commons to give it effect and the two ministers will try and coordinate their legislative timetables.