Northern Ireland Assembly members were today given until Monday to make their position clear on a committee preparing for devolved government.
After three days of deadlock over who should chair the Preparation for government committee at Stormont, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said stalemate was not an option.
"I know that many people across Northern Ireland share my frustration at the failure to get this crucial committee up and running," he said.
"Matters simply cannot rest here. Despite the current procedural deadlock, a way has to be found to move forward if the restoration of devolution is to become a reality.
The two governments must spell out clearly to the Democratic Unionist Party the consequences of failing to achieve power sharing at Stormont this year, Sinn Féin said today.
Earlier Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy called on the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to publicly elaborate on their Plan B if devolution is not achieved by their November 24th deadline.
SF's Conor Murphy
Mr Murphy said: "The reality is that if we are to do the business in the autumn, a lot of the preparatory work has to be done now.
"Given the antics over the past three days over the failure to choose someone to chair this committee, I think not only Sinn Féin but three of the other parties are beginning to doubt if the Democratic Unionist Party is really up for doing what needs to be done."
The Preparation for Government Committee has been tasked with identifying issues that will need to be addressed to smooth a return to devolved government by November 24th.
Mr Blair and Mr Ahern are expected to travel to Northern Ireland later this month, possibly June 26th and 27th, for two days of talks with the parties about securing power sharing.
PA