Parties contesting the Northern Ireland Assembly Election were tonight challenged to commit themselves to power sharing by March 26th.
Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness threw down the gauntlet after Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson expressed doubt that republicans could convince his party to share power by the devolution deadline.
Mr McGuinness said: "I want to call on all of the political parties who will be contesting the Assembly election to commit now at the outset to engage in a positive election campaign and with a clear determination to deliver the political institutions by March 26th.
"This election presents a real opportunity to significantly move the situation forward. "It is an opportunity that the vast majority of people want their political representatives to deliver. To deliver on the economy. To deliver on the environment. To deliver on health and education.
"There are major challenges ahead for our rural communities, our young people, from rates increases and water charges, as well as from sectarianism and racism.
"Local political parties cannot complain about these difficulties and then abdicate responsibility to do anything."
Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed Northern Ireland would go to the polls on March 7th to elect a new Assembly.
However, Mr Blair warned the plug would be pulled on the election if it was clear it would not result in the formation of devolved government.
Hopes have risen in London and Dublin that Sinn Fein's decision to urge republicans to co-operate with the Police Service of Northern Ireland could persuade the Rev Ian Paisley's DUP to share power with republicans.
But while the DUP's David Simpson said recent moves by Sinn Fein to endorse the police were a small step forward, republicans had a long way to go before they would persuade unionists.
PA