The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, has said that talks on recalling the Assembly are to begin next week.
Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Mr Hain said that it was for the politicians in Northern Ireland to complete the process of devolution.
The British government will recall the Assembly in May, with a deadline of 24 November for electing a power-sharing executive.
Legislation to enable the move is expected to be published on Thursday.
Mr Hain said that Northern Ireland was in danger of being 'left behind' as the rest of Britain and Ireland advance.
Mr Hain also said there is no evidence to suggest that the provisional IRA leadership sanctioned either the murder of the former Sinn Féin member and British agent Denis Donaldson or last week's hijacking near Dunshaughlin of a lorry carrying vodka.
