There are no credible reasons left for political parties in Northern Ireland to fail to act under the St Andrews Agreement, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.
Mr Ahern said the decommissioning of Provisional IRA weapons opened the way to a lasting accommodation in Northern Ireland.
"That lasting accommodation demands two moves now; One, a move on power-sharing by the DUP. Two, support for policing by Sinn Féin. Both acts are necessary and overdue, both are a test of leadership for the respective parties," Mr Ahern told those gathered for the Sean Moylan Commemoration in Kiskeam, Co Cork.
"The package agreed at St Andrews is balanced. There are no losers — only winners. As a result — are no credible reasons left for parties not to move. Sometimes parties have to make tough decisions in the wider interest. This is one of those times.
"If they fail to rise to the challenge of devolved Government there will be no election in March, the Assembly will close and the Governments move to Plan B.
"At this stage I don't believe it will come to that. My honest belief is that leadership will prevail and that a devolved government will be formed."
Officials are planning elections next year and the Assembly is expected to be restored by next March.