Peter Robinson, Deputy Leader of the DUP, has said his party is not delaying the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland and will gladly share power with Sinn Féin as soon as it believes the party has become fully democratic.
Mr Robinson was addressing a meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in Killarney, Co Kerry, on the party's stance on the issue.
He said his party would have most to gain from power-sharing as the largest political grouping in Northern Ireland.
He told republicans that they could fast-track devolution if they verifiably ended criminality for good.
It is the first time in the 16-year history of the body that unionist politicians have accepted an invitation to outline their views.
IMC report due Wednesday
Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister has said the next report by Northern Ireland's Independent Monitoring Commission will be 'extremely important in measuring what progress has been made' towards getting the power-sharing institutions up and running again.
The next report by the IMC on paramilitary activity is due to be published by the two governments on Wednesday.
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Tony Blair said relations between Britain and Ireland had been transformed over the past decade.
He further added that he could not comment on newspaper reports yesterday that an official visit by Queen Elizabeth to Ireland was being planned,
Mr Blair said that it would be a matter between Buckingham Palace and the Irish Government.
