Tensions between the SDLP and Sinn Fein over policing and decommissioning led to sharp exchanges between their negotiators at the weekend, in advance of tomorrow's crucial roundtable talks at Hillsborough Castle.
It was not clear last night if both the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, would attend the talks, which will involve all of the pro-agreement parties.
On Saturday the SDLP chairman, Mr Alex Attwood, accused Sinn Fein of using the policing issue to distract attention from the IRA's refusal to decommission its weapons.
On the BBC's Inside Politics, he called on Sinn Fein to address directly its responsibility to achieve IRA disarmament.
"My sense and understanding of republicans," he added, "is that if you give them the opportunity to debate, discuss and not decide, then they will take all the time in the world.
"But if you give them a situation where they have to decide and determine conclusively what they are going to do, then they are more inclined to do it. I think that is what we need to do in the coming days."
Sinn Fein's policing spokesman, Mr Gerry Kelly, accused Mr Attwood of trying to score political points. On the same programme, he said republicans had always been ready to discuss the weapons issue.
He challenged Mr Attwood to clarify the SDLP's position on policing and said it was inappropriate for the SDLP chairman to try to appear as "some sort of arbitrator in the middle of ourselves and the unionists".
Also interviewed on the programme was the Ulster Unionist parliamentary candidate for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, Mr James Cooper, who warned that policing was being undermined by the "prevarication" of both nationalist parties on whether to support the new service.
Meanwhile the DUP has claimed that according to a private poll of several hundred people in the Upper Bann constituency, conducted last week, its candidate, Mr David Simpson, was ahead of the First Minister and UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, by 11 per cent. The UUP dismissed the poll.
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, said yesterday: "Peace comes about when people know what they ought to do and have the courage to do it, fearlessly and despite all the obstacles."
He was officiating at confirmations in Holy Family Church, Coalisland, Co Tyrone.
Good faith was crucial for the survival of the agreement, he said. "I am delighted to hear that the pro-agreement parties are planning to meet soon. I hope that they will see honestly and truthfully what they have got to do now to ensure that the peace process survives."