The DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley, has said that any deal on the North where the IRA decommissions its weapons but where there are no photographs will not work.
He was speaking after meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, and the Northern Secretary, Paul Murphy, at Hillsborough Castle this afternoon.
The meeting came after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern clarified in the Dáil the Government's position on photographic verification of IRA decommissioning.
Mr Ahern said the entire initiative aimed at reaching agreement is based on the premise that the IRA ends all illegal activity as well as paramilitarism.
He said the Government was duty bound to satisfy itself that the IRA was committed to a course and that the issue had yet to be clarified in the clear terms required.
He told TDs that the joint proposals put forward by both governments did envisage the availability of photographs of IRA decommissioning, even though the IRA had since said it was unable to agree to such a step.
Mr Ahern said that publication of any photos would not have taken place until the Executive had been formed, and if this had worked would have produced what he called a far more compelling photograph of a DUP-Sinn Féin led executive.
Mr Ahern ended by warning that if agreement was not secured soon, the governments could face a major delay in the restoration of the powersharing institutions.
Deal depends on SF/IRA - McDowell
The Minister for Justice has said there will be 'no deal' in Northern Ireland without clarification from Sinn Féin and the IRA on their understanding of a total end to criminal activity.
Michael McDowell said the issue was one on which there could be no budge from the Government, and no fudge from Sinn Féin and the IRA.
Speaking at the end of a two-hour debate on Northern Ireland, Mr McDowell has also said the Government is 'totally united' on the issue.
Sinn Féin's Caomhghín Ó Caoláin said he rejected criminality from any source and he rejected attempts to criminalise republicans.
He said there was a way forward, which should include direct dialogue between Sinn Féin and the DUP.
On the issue of the early release of the Garda Jerry McCabe killers, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Taoiseach had betrayed the trust of the Irish people by entering into a secret deal on the issue.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said it was political blackmail for ministers to suggest Labour was not acting in the national interest by raising the matter.
