Republicans are working hard to enable the IRA to respond to calls for the group to abandon the armed struggle, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said tonight.
With both the Irish and British governments waiting for the IRA to publicly announce whether they will heed the call to embrace democracy for good, Mr Adams said a statement from the organisation was only part of the process.
Speculation has mounted in the last few days that a statement is imminent.
Mr Adams said tonight: "Our focus is on a positive result and we are working very, very hard and I can tell you on behalf of the Sinn Féin leadership that we are totally and absolutely committed to moving this process ahead.
"One, but only one, part of this is the IRA conclusion to the internal consultation process and I repeat what I have said before they need the space to conclude that."
The Sinn Féin leader also insisted that Unionists had a part to play in moving the peace process forward.
"The rest of us in the Sinn Féin party, and the other political parties, Unionism generally and the DUP in particular, and of course both governments need to be facing up to the challenge," he said.
It is understood senior Sinn Féin representatives were involved in talks in Downing Street today.
Unionists have warned the British government must rigorously examine the IRA's involvement in criminality even if the terror group comes out with a positive statement on its future this week.
After a meeting in Downing Street with Prime Minister Tony Blair Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey issued a warning not to allow Republicans to distance themselves from their criminal operations.
It is understood that the IRA may talk about its members ending active service and instead forming republican clubs when a statement is issued.
Unionists are adamant that all involvement by the IRA in paramilitary and criminal activity must be brought to a complete end.
PA