The Sinn Fein leader Mr Gerry Adams today called for "a bit of political bonding" with the Ulster Unionists to resolve differences over the Northern Ireland peace process.
He asked of the unionists "Are they going to come into talks with us to try and sort it out? Are they going to boycott talks? Are they going to come in sometimes?
"Let all of us collectively come together, let there be a bit of political bonding."
In an interview on RTE Radio today, Mr Adams said he had met Ulster Unionist leader and former Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble as often as anyone else.
"I will continue, as will others within our party, to continue to engage with unionism. We remain resolute in sorting this out, and think it will eventually be sorted out.
"We are poised, our negotiating team is in place." Mr Adams said that regardless of "other priorities" they faced in other parts of the world, the British Government "really does need to pull its socks up.
"We need to see a plan for completion of this phase of the process." The Sinn Fein chief, who last week warned against speculation over the prospect of disbandment by the IRA, claimed that the paramilitary organisation had "moved far beyond the Good Friday agreement" in trying to enhance the peace process.
And he added: "Let no one, begrudgers, nay-sayers, anti-republican elements, those who are against change, try to persuade anyone that there has not been huge progress made in terms of the IRA, or that the IRA has not taken dangerous and difficult steps to enhance this process.
"Others, particularly in 10 Downing Street and within the unionist leadership, need to reflect that in what they do."
He also maintained that loyalist paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland was aimed at destabilising Mr Trimble's Ulster Unionist party.