Sinn Féin's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness is not ruling out the possibility that the DUP will issue a statement in the coming days which could break the policing impasse in the North.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday, Mr McGuinness said he was encouraged by Jeffrey Donaldson's remarks at the weekend when he indicated he was optimistic that agreement would be reached on policing and a power- sharing executive would be established in Stormont.
However, Mr McGuinness is calling on Dr Ian Paisley to agree with Tony Blair's recent assessment that the DUP is prepared to share power by March 26th and accept the transfer of policing powers by May 2008.
According to Mr McGuinness, the decision by the leader of the DUP to "welcome" Mr Blair's assessment but not to agree with it has caused "tremendous confusion" within the minds of many nationalists and republicans.
"We need clarity, and we need the leadership of the DUP to tell us that they agree with Tony Blair. If they agree with Tony Blair then it's a simple matter of moving on to the ardfheis."
Senior Democratic Unionists yesterday resisted calls from Mr McGuinness for a positive response to the party's moves on policing.
North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said the Democratic Unionist position would not change.
"Sinn Féin aren't going to get any different answer no matter how long they keep demanding and no matter what devices they try to come up with."
He accused Sinn Féin of wanting to "dictate" policy to his party. "People are sick and tired of Sinn Féin prevarication and setting conditions for support for police. Sinn Féin must support without conditions and without concessions just like everyone else."
He said the party's policy of when it would share power was set out in its executive of November 9th, saying: "Any decisions on forming government is subject entirely to delivery to our satisfaction.
"That means delivery both by government and by republicans on support for the PSNI, courts and the rule of law, a total end to paramilitary and criminal activity and the removal of terrorist structures.
"Our resolution also spelt out that delivery by republicans must be tested and proved over a credible period of time. Delivery, tested and proved is the only key to progress and the only commitment on our part."
Speaking in Ballymoney on Saturday night, party deputy leader Peter Robinson said: "It is the duty of everyone, without exception, to obey the law and support the institutions which represent the rule of law, including the police and the courts."
He vowed that Democratic Unionism would not be sidetracked but acknowledged there was "more to be done".
"The DUP is keen to make progress but only when the conditions are right."