Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will seek a 'critical and defining' meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson to discuss the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams made the announcement following a meeting of Sinn Fein Ard Comhairle in Dublin.
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The party's hierarchy met to review its participation in the North's power-sharing executive, following the collapse of talks with the Democratic Unionist Party on the issue.
Mr Adams said the political institutions could work only if they function on the basis they were established. However, he said he believed the matter could be resolved.
'Our negotiating team has been given a very specific brief. Martin McGuinness will be seeking an urgent meeting with Peter Robinson. This will be a critical and defining engagement,' he said.
Mr Adams added: 'This is not a game of poker. If the institutions are not working and not delivering – then they become pointless and unsustainable.
'What we are about is fixing the problems and returning to the basis upon which these institutions were established – Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement.
'If that is not possible then no self-respecting public representative or political party would want to be part of what would be nothing less than a charade.'
Members of the Ard Comhairle heard a report from Mr McGuinness before they decided on further talks.
Sinn Féin wants to secure a date for the transfer of the powers, while the DUP has been pressing for changes to how parades are governed.
A letter from the Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was delivered to DUP leader Peter Robinson yesterday and Sinn Féin received a response at 3am this morning.
Mr Robinson last night signalled the possibility of his party merging with the Ulster Unionist Party.
This act would prevent Sinn Féin securing the post of First Minister in a future executive.
However, Mr Robinson also said that he wants the discussions to resume.
He said: 'It seems every time I think there is a good day (in the talks), I awaken to find someone is moving away and moving backwards.
'People recognise that the community in Northern Ireland doesn't want to go back to the old days, they want a steady hand on the helm and want to see progress being made.'
