Time is running short in efforts to strike a deal in the peace process, Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble tonight warned.
Mr Trimble accused Sinn Féin of delaying recent negotiations and called on the party to give clear signals at its conference this weekend.
"Time is short, time is very short," Mr Trimble told reporters in Dublin tonight.
"They [Sinn Féin] have delayed and delayed and delayed. They cannot delay much longer."
Speaking after a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, he said he could not be tempted into setting deadlines since this would only lead to him being criticised.
"I would be delighted if things could be sorted out today, tomorrow, the day after, time is short," he said.
"At the time when we left Hillsborough I would have thought we would have it sorted by now.
"So things are running on longer than we would like."