The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has said attempts for a new political deal to resuscitate the North's peace process have entered the "final seconds of injury time". It said the onus firmly lay with the republican movement, which must cast off the shadow of paramilitarism.
UUP Assembly member, Mr Ken Robinson, last night said: "There has been much talk of time running out over recent days. We really are now into the final seconds of injury time and still we are waiting for a realistic statement of intent from the republican movement. The ball remains in their court. Clarity really does mean clarity.
"It is time they cast off the crutch of paramilitarism and relied solely on their oft-quoted 'mandate'. Every man, woman and child in Northern Ireland needs to hear that paramilitarism is a thing of the past and that we can all look forward to a brighter future.
"My message to the republican movement is clear. The break with paramilitarism must be complete and irrevocable."
The DUP insisted there must be no mincing of words by the Provisional IRA.
North Belfast MP Mr Nigel Dodds said: "It is obvious that, like the Belfast Agreement, which was couched in terms which meant different things to different parties and has led to the current impasse, the present form of words from the IRA is anything but crystal clear and unambiguous.
"We have said consistently that only disbandment, dismantling and total decommissioning will suffice - not the smoke and mirrors of the last two so-called events about which we know neither the content nor indeed where the action took place."
Mr Dodds said people had waited long enough for the British and Irish governments to realise that continual concessions to Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA did not work.
"It is long past the time when, instead, support should be given to the democratic parties who are solely committed to exclusively peaceful methods, not those with an army at their back."
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has again urged the British and Irish governments to publish their blueprint to save the peace process.
The party's vice-president, Mr Pat Doherty, said Sinn Féin had been engaged in "intensive efforts" to break the current deadlock.
"The efforts made by the Sinn Féin leadership in recent days and weeks to secure the full implementation of the agreement and the positive response of the IRA to those efforts should now be built upon by the two governments and all of us in political leadership.
"The two governments should publish their joint declaration and seize this opportunity to advance the peace process and see the agreement implemented."
Mr Doherty said London and Dublin had acknowledged the Provisional IRA's desire to make the peace process work.
"This is an incredible development. So what is the delay about? The two governments, the Ulster Unionist Party and all of us should seize the opportunity."
Mr Doherty was speaking as he launched Sinn Féin's Easter Lily campaign in Belfast.
Meanwhile, Ms Monica McWilliams of the Women's Coalition has said the North's politicians must act swiftly to save the peace process.
"The window of opportunity is closing. All parties must show they are ready to grasp the chance to find a solution. . . At this stage, parties owe the people of Northern Ireland more than quibbling over words. Reaching agreement is the priority."