Ulster politicians need to move away from the "politics of dare and double dare" to revive the peace process, a leading nationalist has warned.

Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP, was speaking on Tuesday ahead of meetings with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and Irish foreign minister Brian Cowen.

"For far too long those of us who have put no obstacles in the way of progress have had to suffer the juvinile politics of dare and double dare, blame and counter-blame," he said.

"Sinn Fein is now sayting that a move from the Republican Movement is possible, provided an election date [for the assembly] is set.

"People have the right to ask why was there no such move from the Republican Movement earlier this year when we had a date for a May election?

"Why does the republican movement keep giving anti-agreement unionists excuse after excuse to hold the process back?

"While it is understandable that we are fed up, we are not about to give up."

His comments follow talks between the Irish and British governments in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Meetings between Tony Blair and Irish premier Bertie Ahern over the weekend were described as "positive".

Over the past week the two prime ministers have met with Adams, as well as Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.

Speaking on Tuesday, Durkan called for elections to the Northern Ireland assembly to be held this autumn, but warned: "We need the guarantee that the institutions, once restored will not be collapsed again.

"We need an end of all paramilitary activity and we need further demilitarisation.

"To ensure all this happens, we need to sit around a table together and agree common understandings and undertakings that will deliver the joint declaration and the Good Friday Agreement."