The DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson, has said talks which are due to be held in England next month might not be enough to break the political impasse in the North.
The talks will be co-chaired by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
Mr Robinson said reaching agreement may take more than one visit.
Responding to remarks last week by Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams, Mr Robinson repeated the DUP view that unionists wanted to see action from the IRA on disarmament and disbandment rather than words.
It comes after Sinn Féin urged the DUP to clarify its position following the remarks by Mr Adams last week.
In an interview, Mr Adams said that republicans, in the right circumstances, should be prepared to remove the IRA as an excuse for unionists to block political progress.
In response, DUP Assembly member Ian Paisley Jnr said that unionists would only accept actual decommissioning by the IRA as the way forward.
However, Sinn Féin Assembly member Alex Maskey said the DUP position appeared to be inconsistent.
