Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain today warned the DUP and Sinn Féin that if they are not prepared to make key moves by Friday there would be no point in proceeding with devolution.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain
Speaking during questions in the House of Commons in London, he told the Democratic Unionists that it was not a question of them "jumping first" in their dispute with Sinn Fein on supporting police and the rule of law.
The DUP MP Nigel Dodds had claimed that asking parties to designate, nominate or indicate on Friday who people will be to take up certain offices in the future "is asking people to jump first before Sinn Féin have made the slightest move whatsoever".
Mr Hain warned that if the parties were not prepared to indicate their nominations on Friday for First and Deputy First Minister, "what is the point of proceeding".
He said DUP statements appearing to suggest it could be some years after Sinn Féin endorsed the Police Service of Northern Ireland before unionists could consider supporting the transfer of policing and justice powers were "hardly an encouragement".
The Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill being rushed through the Lords today sets out a timetable for reviving devolution by March 26th. It would create a transitional Assembly from this Friday.
Northern Ireland's hopes of securing power sharing by March are dependent on the DUP and Sinn Féin resolving their dispute over republican support for policing and the rule of law.
The DUP wants Sinn Féin to publicly endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland, while Sinn Féin insists it cannot do that until it holds a special party conference to change its policy towards the PSNI.