The Taoiseach has urged Sinn Féin to press ahead with a special Ard Fheis on policing, despite conflicting signals from the DUP about whether it is ready to enter a power-sharing government.
Speaking in Dublin this evening, Mr Ahern said the best way to dispel Dr Paisley's misgivings over Sinn Féin's attitude to policing was to call a special conference.
Earlier, Martin McGuinness said Sinn Féin's ruling council would meet on Saturday to discuss the Ard Fheis issue in the light of critical comments by Dr Paisley yesterday.
This evening a DUP spokesman said the party will not resile from its commitment to the restoration of devolution.
He said this process was about delivery and Sinn Féin must stop what he called its foot-dragging and deliver.
Sinn Féin says it decided to call Saturday's Ard Chomairle meeting to discuss the political uncertainty over the future of the Northern Ireland peace process.
A special party conference has already been approved to discuss supporting policing if the DUP agreed to share power next March.
A meeting of Sinn Féin's ruling executive at the end of December approved the holding of a special Ard Fheis on policing if the DUP agreed to share power by next March.
Mr McGuinness says there is now deep concern following comments from Dr Paisley disputing claims he would consent to devolution by the March deadline, remarks which Sinn Féin claims have created a very serious situation.
Meanwhile, the Northern Secretary has warned that a person from outside the Stormont Assembly could be appointed to oversee policing and justice if the deadlock between SF and the DUP on the issue was not broken.
Peter Hain said: 'If there is willful obstruction, some kind of deadlock almost despite the best intentions of the parties then we will have to look at another way through, but that is very much second best'.
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has said mechanisms must be put in place to ensure the complete separation of MI5 from civic policing in Northern Ireland.
He was commenting ahead of a statement expected tomorrow by the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on the issue.
