Unionists have called on Sinn Féin to clarify comments by its Dáil leader that the party will collapse the Northern Ireland Assembly if policing and justice powers were not devolved as promised.
Earlier this month Sinn Féin and the DUP reached agreement in principle that there should be one minister in the executive at Stormont in charge of justice.
Yesterday Mr Ó Caoláin told a republican gathering in Co Cavan his party would pull its ministers out of the executive if policing and justice powers are not devolved from Westminster to Belfast.
He said republicans were growing increasingly concerned at the lack of progress.
He said it was now the end of August and there was still no date for the transfer of these powers.
In response, the DUP MP and junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson criticised Mr Ó Caoláin’s comments.
He described them as not helpful or constructive.
He said the DUP remained committed to finding a resolution to the deadlock.
