Republicans have marked the anniversary of the Easter Rising by criticising the British government and unionists over the deadlock in the political process.
Mr Brian Keenan, a veteran republican jailed for his role in a bombing campaign in Britain in the 1970s, told a rally on Saturday in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, that current attempts to restore devolution were failing.
"These negotiations have failed at the moment because unionism hadn't the guts to come through and work together," he claimed.
The point was endorsed yesterday by the president of Sinn Féin, Mr Gerry Adams, who questioned the desire of unionists to cut a deal with republicans over the future governance of Northern Ireland.
"Unionists need to stand on their own feet," Mr Adams said at a commemoration in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone. "We want to do a deal with them. The big question is do they want to do a deal with us at this time?"
He accused the unionist leadership of abandoning the field and leaving negotiations to the British government. "This brings a fault-line into the process," he said.
Commending the work of the Irish Government and its officials, Mr Adams accused others of showing less resilience.
He repeated claims made in a speech last Thursday focusing on the positive aspects of an IRA statement provided to the two governments earlier last week.
He said: "Unionists say they want clarity and certainty from republicans. Let me tell you that what the IRA is saying to them is very clear indeed. It is unprecedented, to the point that perhaps some of you may think the army has gone too far. What unionists actually want is a surrender. What we want is for everyone to keep to their commitments and for a negotiated process of conflict resolution to be brought to completion. And that includes certainty and clarity about future UUP intentions."
He also returned to a theme of his speech to the Sinn Féin ardfheis last month, and called for understanding to be shown to unionists.
Calling for the two governments to prepare for Irish reunification, he said: "I am not saying this to frighten or destabilise unionism but because I believe that many unionists also recognise the change that is taking place. Consequently, their fears and worries of the future must be addressed in a comprehensive manner. We have to be prepared to give assurances and guarantees and to commit to protecting the rights of every citizen, without exception. Winning unionists over to republicanism will not be easy, but it is not impossible. We have to reach out to them," he added.
Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, speaking at the Loup in Co Derry, also criticised the British government.
Mr Martin McGuinness claimed: "The roots of the current crisis lie in unionism's inability to come to terms with change and the willingness of the British government to acquiesce to a unionist veto.
"Over the last week we have heard a lot of speculation about what is in the joint declaration and the IRA statement and at times we seemed to be at risk of the spin getting out of control," he said.
"What is critical now is that all of this is put into the public realm. The joint declaration and all other statements should be published."
Speaking in Co Donegal, the North's former health minister, Ms Bairbre de Brún, claimed: "In the North, this resistance to change comes not only from within unionism but from within the British system also. In the South it comes from predictable quarters that have failed repeatedly to play the part they could in bringing about a more just and peaceful future for all."
Mr McGuinness echoed Mr Adams's call for the British and Irish governments to prepare for reunification.
"They should start by fully implementing the agreement without further delay," he said.