Sinn Fein today signalled it was ready to end its boycott of Northern Ireland's police service once further reforms are achieved.
Senior party negotiator Gerry Kelly told supporters in Belfast that a new policing situation was possible and urged them to be ready to make some big decisions.
With the emphasis on achieving more changes, he said: "It is not an impossible task and republicans need to be acutely aware that if and when the Sinn Fein leadership achieves the objectives it set in this area then this is turn will present further challenges for all activists.
"There is a public commitment if we reach that point to then put proposals to our membership and nationalism as a whole.
"While we are not at that point yet, activists need to realise that we can achieve it and with achievement there comes further responsibility."
Sinn Fein has been demanding more reforms to policing, one of the key strands in the Northern Ireland political process, claiming elements within the force are still waging a dirty tricks campaign against republicans.
Any deal to restore the collapsed power-sharing Government at Stormont would involve reaching a settlement on the issue, with calls for policing and justice powers to be transferred from Westminster to Belfast.
The party has refused to recommend the Police Service of Northern Ireland as a career for Catholics or take its seats on the authority which holds the force to account.
But Mr Kelly told an all-Ireland conference on policing and justice: "In the poisoned atmosphere created by political policing which I have just listed, the question is, is it possible to achieve a new policing dispensation. The answer to that is yes."
"Negotiations herald change. Change brings turmoil and soul searching. It also means breaking moulds.
"If we accept that the political changes over the last decade have caused massive upheaval for the unionist and British system which has misruled the North for so many years let us also accept that republicans have had to face and deal with the challenges the political and emotional rollercoaster of change brings.
"Nobody said it would be easy. Here is the challenge facing us.
"As political activists we must think strategically, debate strategically and decide what is best for our party, for the cause we represent and most importantly for the people we represent. We must do that in partnership and in dialogue with our community.
"Last December in theory at least, we were within months of having a decisive debate on this issue. Delegates were encouraged to go back to their areas and open up the debate within Sinn Fein and their communities.
"I repeat that call today. Keep that discussion going."
PA