Northern pro-agreement parties have welcomed the British and Irish governments' plan to hold intensive talks beginning next week on the formation of the executive.
The Taoiseach and Mr Blair have both cancelled plans to attend an EU/South American summit in Rio de Janeiro. Instead they will supervise the discussions and join them in the closing stages. Both are intent on meeting the June 30th deadline.
Ulster Unionist senior negotiator Sir Reg Empey warned: "When you look at what has happened with the disappeared, unionists are viewing republicans' sincerity with increased scepticism. If they can treat their `own people' in such a way, one has to wonder about their level of commitment."
The Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, called on all parties to work together to ensure the transfer of powers to the Assembly on June 30th.
The SDLP urged the governments to consider why previous attempts to resolve the row had failed.
The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, said: "A massive vote for Ian Paisley can stop Blair and Ahern in their tracks."
The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, appealed to unionists to support his party's candidate, Mr Jim Nicholson.
No venue has, as yet, been fixed for the new talks but it is expected they will run in both Belfast and London from next Tuesday - the day after the European election result is declared.