The DUP would break off contact with Dublin unless the Government resolved the issue of the so-called "Colombia Three", party leader the Rev Ian Paisley said in London yesterday.
He said he would be meeting Taoiseach Bertie Ahern shortly to discuss the affair.
Dr Paisley warned about Government policy: "If they are going to declare themselves as providing a safe hidey-hole for people who are in the IRA and support terrorism, well, we want no talk with them.
"They have been trying to tell us that's not their viewpoint and so we have to wait and this is the time now when the Minister of Justice down in the south of Ireland has to put his money where his mouth is."
Responding to the DUP leader's remarks, a Government spokesman said: "Notwithstanding the difficulties of the case, we see no reason why there should not be ongoing dialogue with the DUP and we look forward to this continuing over the coming period."
Meanwhile, UTV has reported that the meeting between the Taoiseach and Dr Paisley was originally planned for last Wednesday but would now probably take place next week.
A Government spokesman commented: "There was a tentative arrangement for a meeting this week but the DUP had said it was not possible."
The spokesman understood this had been "for diary reasons" and he was not aware that any political reason had been suggested. Dr Paisley was speaking to journalists after meeting British defence secretary John Reid in London over proposals to disband the Royal Irish Regiment.
Speaking after the meeting, the DUP leader said: "These plans are seen by many as an act of appeasement that has more to do with pleasing republicans than it has to do with the security of the law-abiding citizens who look to the government for protection from terrorism." The DUP delegation also included Jeffrey Donaldson MP, William McCrea MP, Gregory Campbell MP, and Maurice Morrow MLA.
Earlier yesterday the Taoiseach said that the return of the "Colombia Three" to Ireland had caused " quite a ripple in the peace process", when he visited Piltown agricultural show in Co Kilkenny.
Mr Ahern said all the legal processes were being followed, the Director of Public Prosecution's report and a Garda investigation was also under way. He said he had sent an Ambassador to Colombia and the Garda were in touch with the authorities there through Interpol.
"There is a lot of ground to be covered on this issue," he said. In reply to a question, the Taoiseach said it was a matter which had to be dealt with. "As you know it caused quite a ripple in the peace process but that has been but one of the issues over the summer and there have been others in the North which have been quite worrying as well. It's not the only issue," he said.
On decommissioning, the Taoiseach said he expected "something in the early days of September".
"I know during the holiday period nothing was to happen but I expect it to come back centre stage very shortly, in early September, and I hope it will," he concluded.