Talks involving the British and Irish governments and the Northern parties scheduled for February 6th must tackle outstanding issues blocking the return of devolution, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.
Speaking in Co Louth before a meeting with a delegation of US congressmen, Dermot Ahern said: "We need to move on this quickly for the very simple reason that the landscape has dramatically changed given the IRA statement and actions.
"It's now really for people to stop the shadow-boxing and to get down to hard negotiations and discussions."
Reacting to the Rev Ian Paisley's insistence that there could be no power-sharing executive at Stormont involving Sinn Féin, Mr Ahern insisted the Belfast Agreement must be the basis on which the return of power-sharing to Stormont is made.
There could be no dilution of the principles of that accord, he added, because the people of Ireland voted for it.
Asked specifically about Monday's statement by Dr Paisley, Mr Ahern said he would try to help build trust and confidence, thus facilitating a shift in that party's position.
Referring to the imminent report by the Independent Monitoring Commission, Mr Ahern added: "We're hoping that when we get positive soundings from the IMC, that may very well be the key to getting both sides to move - the DUP on the whole issue of participation in power-sharing, and also on the other side Sinn Féin to move on policing."
He denied that the principles of the Good Friday agreement could be diluted in any way.
"People on both sides of the Border voted for the agreement, and that's the template under which both governments and the political parties have to work.
"I've heard what people are saying about alternative arrangements or interim arrangements. But while the two governments are willing to discuss issues generally, we have to work within the template and the principles set out in the Good Friday agreement."
Jim Walsh, chairman of the Friends of Ireland, said he and his congressional colleagues, Brian Higgins and Tim Murphy, hoped to play a "positive and constructive" role and emphasised that the US did not wish to be partisan in its approach to the peace process.
He recognised that much progress had been made but added that he wanted to see a positive conclusion.
The three later met Northern Secretary Peter Hain at Hillsborough, who told them that Northern Ireland owed a huge debt of gratitude to the US for its support.
"The United States has been a good and loyal friend to Northern Ireland and the peace process," he said.
"Through its support and encouragement, the American administration has helped to move Northern Ireland forward."
He added: "Both the British and Irish governments value the continued support from politicians on Capitol Hill who want to see the return of the Assembly, all-party support for policing, the full implementation of the agreement and a better future for all in Northern Ireland."
Congressman Walsh said: "We see our role as one of providing encouragement and focused international attention on the fact that this stalled process needs to regain its momentum, especially now with the confirmed decommissioning of weaponry by the Irish Republican Army."
The US delegation will meet the DUP in London later today or tomorrow, although Dr Paisley's participation has yet to be confirmed.