The Fine Gael leader has called on the Irish and British governments and the pro-Belfast Agreement parties to hold "a short talks process" ahead of President Clinton's visit to break the political deadlock.
Mr John Bruton, during a two-day visit to Northern Ireland in which he met political leaders, appeared to support the SDLP position that no definitive statement could be made on the Police Bill until further clarification was provided.
He declined to make a specific recommendation on whet her the SDLP and Sinn Fein should encourage Catholics to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Referring to the pressure on the SDLP to endorse the Bill, he said the SDLP had explained to him "very carefully the difficulties they have in making that step at this stage.
"It is important to recognise that there is a considerable extent of unfinished business in regard to policing," said Mr Bruton.
"The object, of course, is to reach a point where not just the SDLP, but Sinn Fein will be recommending to members of the nationalist community that they join the new police service," he added.
President Clinton's visit should act as a "clear deadline" for a breakthrough, or for a more sharply defined consensus on what the main problems were, said Mr Bruton on the second day of his visit, during which he met Mr Peter Mandelson, Mr David Trimble, Mr Seamus Mallon, Mr Gerry Adams and the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
"The problems could be resolved within a fortnight if the political will can be assembled," said Mr Bruton. The Sinn Fein president, Mr Adams, after his meeting with Mr Bruton, warned that the Belfast Agreement was facing into a period of "rolling crisis". He said the agreement was "on a life support unit".
