The review of the Belfast Agreement was resuscitated at Stormont yesterday following the election, but with the parties offering widely differing analyses of the problem and what is needed to restore devolution.
The SDLP, Sinn Féin and the DUP held separate meetings with the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy.
The Ulster Unionists, who have withdrawn from the review, also held talks with Mr Murphy but insisted these were outside the review's scope which they say is futile pending the ending of all paramilitary activity.
Sinn Féin insisted it was there "to do the business" with the British government and the other parties, especially the DUP. Mr Martin McGuinness stressed his party was anxious to sort out all outstanding disagreements "in the next few days" and denied that Sinn Féin was content to wait for further political gain at next year's local government elections and in the anticipated Westminster election.
The SDLP questioned the commitment of the British and Irish governments to breaking the impasse and accused the DUP and Sinn Féin of working solely for their own aggrandisement. Mr Mark Durkan said: "The governments don't seem to have a clear game plan other than to a road map to October which seems very sketchy."
The Ulster Unionists believe the British government will lean on the DUP to do a deal with Sinn Féin in the autumn, subject to a more positive assessment of paramilitary activity by the Independent Monitoring Commission. The party believes the British government is anxious to be seen to do something in advance of the anniversary of the Assembly elections last November.
The DUP did not take questions following its meeting with Mr Murphy. But in a statement issued afterwards, the Rev Ian Paisley said: "The meeting was constructive and a forthright exchange of views took place. We look forward to further meetings with the Secretary of State and others next week."
Mr Michael McGimpsey for the Ulster Unionists claimed that the review was going nowhere and there was little scope for progress before the marching season.
"However we may see progress at the end of the summer," he added. "The activity looks like it is going to be in the autumn. I do think the pressure will be on the DUP and Sinn Féin to cut some sort of a deal. My forecast is that they will do a deal come the autumn."
He suggested the British government could threaten to review Stormont salaries and facilities during suspension if the parties did not settle their difference.
"I think we're going to have big pressure from Blair and whoever the Taoiseach is at that time, and I have no doubt that Peter Robinson will do the deal with Sinn Féin."
The review continues today with the Minister for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, co-chairing discussions on all-Ireland and east-west arrangements with Mr Murphy.