Sinn Féin is to hold a meeting of its Ard Comhairle at the weekend at which the party's participation in power sharing will be considered.
Sinn Féin has been involved in negotiation with the Demoratic Unionist Party in an effort to resolve problems in the Stormont administration.
Following a meeting of party officers in Belfast this afternoon, Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou MacDonald said the DUP needed to step up to the plate.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, was to brief senior Sinn Féin colleagues today on talks with the DUP on the devolution of policing and justice powers.
The most significant effect of the Peter Robinson controversy saw the DUP involved in face-to-face talks with Sinn Féin, where issues that had inhibited power sharing for months were being discussed.
Little of what was happening in those negotiations leaked out, but the signals were positive.
That mood changed when it emerged that the DUP and the UUP had met in England on Sunday.
The DUP was represented by its leader Peter Robinson and deputy leader Nigel Dodds, while the UUP sent deputy leader Danny Kennedy and Fermanagh MLA Tom Elliot.
The talks were facilitated by the Conservative MP and Spokesman on Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson.
The reasons for their meeting is open to interpretation, but it is clear the Tories would like the support of all shades of unionism that will be returned in the Westminster May elections.
The DUP and UUP might have concerns that the next Assembly election could make Sinn Féin the largest party and put Martin McGuinness in line for the position of First Minister.
Sinn Féin may conclude there has been a breach of trust in their negotiations with the DUP and call for the British and Irish governments to get involved.
