Sinn Féin and the SDLP reacted with caution to publication of the draft policing proposals yesterday, while the Ulster Unionists were more critical.
Mr Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, said the proposals did not go far enough but he added it was possible "to come to a resolution of all of these difficulties if the will is there". With four months required for the proposals to complete their legislative path through Westminster, Mr McGuinness made it clear that more work was needed.
"Thus far from what we have seen, and we have yet to study all of this in great detail, it doesn't go far enough. It doesn't fully and faithfully implement the Patten recommendations.
"There is more work to be done and no doubt, over the course of the next weeks and months, in conjunction with other debates and discussions between ourselves and the two governments and other parties, it is achievable in my view that we will see the full and faithful implementation of the Patten recommendations," he said.
The SDLP leader said most, but not all his party's concerns had been addressed.
Mr Mark Durkan said 12 out of 14 areas of concern to his party had been addressed by the draft proposals.
"What is meant to be an extension of the Ombudsman's role which we were seeking, we would be concerned that while that extension is there, there could be a qualification on that which is absolutely not necessary and could run to other issues," he said.
"They touch fundamentally on issues of accountability and openness."
The SDLP's policing spokesman, Mr Alex Attwood, added: "It is now clear and compelling that the pace of policing change is gathering and its potential deepening. Sinn Féin should recognise the opportunity and grasp it, not shirk it."
The Ulster Unionist leader branded the drafts as "highly contentious".
He referred to earlier threats by Ulster Unionist members of the Policing Board to quit their seats if concessions were made to ensure Sinn Féin participation.
He repeated concerns about allowing ex-prisoners to take seats on new district policing partnerships and about plans to allow such partnerships in Belfast much greater independence than first envisaged.
Mr Trimble voiced fears that areas such as west and north Belfast could become "a law unto themselves".
Anti-agreement unionists claimed the British government had capitulated to republicans by suggesting possible changes regarding ex-prisoners and the status of the district policing partnerships.