SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan has said Assembly elections in the North should go ahead even in the absence of an agreement between Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party.
Speaking after a meeting with British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair in London today Mr Durkan said: "It would be much better if the Government made clear that the elections were happening and fixed a date rather than making those hostage to the machinations going on between other parties."
"We believe that elections should take place sooner rather than later and let that give those parties the reality check that they need."
He said that Mr Blair had appeared to accept his argument that postponing elections again into next year - after two previous postponements - would be a "difficult proposition" for the peace process and the Belfast Agreement.
"If you further postpone the elections what do we pass off as the process in the meantime? What encouragement can we give people that the agreement is a going concern?" he said.
"I believe that many people who voted for the agreement are getting increasingly cynical and sick about the process that has passed itself off since the agreement and I think those people are prepared to have their say by supporting in an election parties who are absolutely unambiguously for the agreement."
PA