Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams insisted today there could be no re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement.
In a speech to his Assembly team at Stormont Mr Adams said the anti-agreement Democratic Unionists must not have a veto on implementing the agreement.
He said: "There can be no re-negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement. That is our position and we make no bones about it.
"The principle structures and obligations of that agreement cannot and will not be subverted.
Mr Adams, whose party overtook the SDLP as the largest nationalist group in the Assembly, denied that the current situation was a stand-off between Sinn Fein and the DUP.
He added: "Sinn Fein recognises and respects the mandates of all the other parties. We have our own analysis and policies but this does not prevent us from listening and engaging with our opponents.
"On the contrary, unlike the DUP we are not afraid of dialogue. We are very much in favour of it - that is why our party has sought meetings with all the other parties and with the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister."
The Sinn Fein chief has already met Northern Secretary Mr Paul Murphy, calling on him to lift the suspension of the power-sharing institution. Mr Murphy has resisted the call stating it would be highly unlikely that the parties could agree to form an executive within the six week time period.
Mr Adams said that it was the DUP's choice whether to participate in the power sharing administration but it could not act as a veto on other elements of the agreement.
"It is therefore up to Mr Blair along with the Taoiseach to proceed with their commitments on policing, the criminal justice system, demilitarisation, the equality agenda, human rights, the Irish language and other matters including OTRs (on the run paramilitary suspects)."
He added: "Sinn Fein will engage in good faith with the Government and the other parties and we look to everyone to play a positive leadership role."
PA