Sinn Fein has claimed hundreds of nationalists are being put at risk because the RUC is delaying warning them they are on a dissident loyalist hit list.
The party is demanding an inquiry to establish how a file on 300 nationalists - including their telephone numbers, addresses and other personal details - came to be found at an Orange hall in Stoneyford, Co Antrim.
An RUC spokesman said the matter was being dealt with as speedily as possible given the complexity and quantity of information. "This is a major operation in view of those involved and the need to ensure details on the list are checked for accuracy and currency," he stated.
However, Sinn Fein Assembly member Mr Conor Murphy claimed that if Protestants were at risk from republicans, the RUC would "deal with it in a much more serious and efficient manner".
Sinn Fein also called for the Orange Order to comment on the discovery of the files at one of its halls. The party is demanding an explanation into what it says is collusion between the security services and loyalists.
Of the 300 nationalists believed to be included in the files, Mr Murphy claimed only a fraction had been informed they were at risk. None of those in South Armagh had yet been contacted.
Since the find two nationalist homes have been attacked by loyalists. Mr Joe McKee and his family escaped injury in a petrol bomb attack on their home in Turf Lodge in west Belfast on Monday. South Belfast Sinn Fein councillor Mr Sean Hayes said his son was showered with glass after ball-bearings were fired at his home.
Mr Gerard Rice of the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community group said he was told he was on a loyalist hit list four days after the Northern Ireland Office refused to offer him protection. It is understood the request was denied on the grounds that his death "would not affect the maintenance of law and order".