British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair was today challenged to prove his commitment to political progress in the North by setting a date for Assembly elections.
Sinn Féin MP Ms Michelle Gildernew threw down the gauntlet to Mr Blair after he said in his monthly news conference at Downing Street devolution must be restored.
While stressing Northern Ireland had come a long way in recent years, Mr Blair insisted the current political deadlock threatened the process.
"I am convinced to sustain that progress we do need a political settlement," he said.
"In other words, the present situation, the status quo, is too fragile.
"We need the political institutions back up and running again. That is what we are gong to work towards and I hope we will be successful."
Devolution has been suspended since last October when allegations of IRA spying threatened the future of the Stormont power sharing executive.
Ms Gildernew said: "The cause of the current difficulties in the process is the decision of Mr Blair to suspend the political institutions and cancel the Assembly elections at the behest of negative unionism.
"If he is serious about wanting to see a resolution to the current difficulties in the process then there is now a real need for him to come forward with a definitive date, without qualifications or conditions, for the Assembly elections to proceed."
PA