US President George W Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mr Richard Haass, will travel to the North next week as efforts to revive devolution intensify.
Sources confirmed today Mr Haass will hold meetings with the various parties on October 13th and 14th at what is likely to be a critical stage in the peace process.
Northern Ireland's parties are involved in a hectic round of meetings aimed at securing a groundbreaking move from the IRA, Assembly elections and the return of the devolution.
The Assembly and power-sharing executive were suspended in October last year amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.
Following six meetings between Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble in recent weeks, speculation has grown that the IRA is planning a third act of weapons decommissioning.
It is hoped this might be enough to secure an Assembly election in November and December.
SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan was today meeting Mr Trimble. Bilaterals involving the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland parties are also expected in Belfast, London and Dublin this week.
Sinn Féin chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin rounded on SDLP deputy leader Mrs Bríd Rodgers after she accused his party of inconsistency over the issue of elections and a move from the IRA.
Mr McLaughlin accused the SDLP of now justifying the cancellation of the elections last Spring.
PA