The British government will not settle for a "99 per cent" deal or any form of contingent arrangement which could fall apart later, the Northern Secretary was said.
Speaking before his departure for St Andrews for intensive talks on a deal to restore powersharing, Peter Hain said he was not insisting upon an immediate recall of the Executive and Assembly after the British and Irish governments' deadline of midnight on November 24th.
"But what he have to have by midnight on the 24th of November is a 100 per cent deal - not a 99 per cent deal, not a contingent deal which can be escaped from later on - but a 100 per cent deal. That's the position we are going for in Scotland, and I think it's possible to achieve it."
His comments reflect a belief that a deal can be signed off by the November deadline with enactment following some time afterwards.
However senior party spokesmen marked out some starkly different positions on the eve of the talks, with Sinn Féin insisting that the process of change was unstoppable and the DUP warning that nothing would be agreed or enforced over the heads of the electorate.
In a keynote address in Belfast last night, Gerry Adams told a party rally: "The question is no longer about whether the DUP will do a deal; the question is about when the DUP will do a deal. Our responsibility, therefore, is to do a deal with Ian Paisley - if he can be brought to that point. And if he cannot then the process continues without him."
He added: "We are up for dialogue with the DUP, we are up for sharing power with them and we are up for dealing with all of the outstanding issues.
"Let me also make it clear to the DUP that if they decide to hang about until some later date then they will also have to accept the changes which will be brought about between now and then."
On policing, Mr Adams said: "Sinn Féin's focus on policing is about depoliticising the police force and changing it from an armed wing of the state to a service for the people."
However, DUP MEP Jim Allister said his party would not be forced by the governments into "short-term fixes, premature and flawed judgements and unsustainable devolution".
Suggesting that agreement could be some time off, he added: "Nothing can or will be decided at St Andrews over the head of the people. Ultimately, the electorate must have the final say."
Mr Allister told a meeting of Bannside Democratic Unionists in Co Antrim of the requirements made of republicans.
"It's not just a matter of Sinn Féin espousing policing - on that issue there has to be proven change which will demonstrate itself over a protracted period - well beyond November 24th."
He also insisted that Stormont ministers would need to be "truly accountable" and show "fidelity to Northern Ireland and respect for its constitutional position and the principle of consent".
SDLP leader Mark Durkan warned that new legislation published by the British government last week was unworkable.
"The draft legislation published by the British government last week makes unnecessary and damaging concessions to the DUP that will clog up the Executive with minor matters; will encourage ministers to resolve their disputes through the courts; [and] will give the DUP power to veto nationalist decisions and vice versa."
The Orange Order last night wished the participants in the talks well, and insisted any deal should include abolition of the Parades Commission.
Liam Reid writes: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday that a deal on powersharing in the North "has never been more feasible". His spokeswoman said the Taoiseach informed Cabinet colleagues that it was "an extremely important week for the future of Northern Ireland".
"He said he felt the conditions for a full deal had never been more feasible and the mood on the ground was very good."
Meanwhile the leaders of Fine Gael and Labour have expressed support for the Government ahead of the talks. In a joint statement Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte said it may be "the last opportunity for the immediate future to secure agreement that would lead to political progress and the restoration of the democratic institutions in Northern Ireland".