Movement by the government on issues such as demilitarisation is not required before a wide-ranging deal to restore devolution can be achieved, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has said.

Mr McGuinness told the BBC on Thursday that a deal involving a move from the IRA was possible if everyone moved together.

"I think in this sort of a scenario it is not beyond our collective wit to devise a mechanism whereby everybody can move together," he said.

"But I do have to say it is absolutely dependent upon the British Government fulfilling the commitments that they have thus far failed to fulfil."

Tony Blair is to meet Bertie Ahern for talks in NI next week

Mr McGuinness' comments followed a visit to the province by US Ambassador Richard Haass on Wednesday.

Mr Haass, who held a series of meetings with the pro-Agreement parties in Belfast, said all sides needed to take bold steps to allow the restoration of the devolved institutions.

President Bush's special adviser urged Sinn Fein to sign up to policing and stressed the need for acts of completion.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said there was an expectation from the United States that the republican movement had the room and capacity to move towards a bold initiative.

Mr Durkan urged republicans to make the moves required under the terms of the Agreement.

Mr Haass also met the Women's Coalition, whose deputy leader Jane Morrice said: "We impressed upon Mr Haass the need to reach a solution that works for everyone and that all parties have a role to play."

Common ground

During his three-day visit, Mr Haass met Secretary of State Paul Murphy and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble in London and also held talks with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen and the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern in Dublin.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern are to meet in Northern Ireland next week for talks that are being seen as a key part of the sequencing.

Northern Ireland's political institutions were suspended over allegations of IRA activity including intelligence gathering at Stormont.

Following the collapse of power-sharing, current legislation dictates that the British and Irish Governments must hold a review of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement on which devolution was based.

But unless some common ground can be found between the parties on how to proceed, there is no mechanism for reinstating Northern Ireland's government.

Both the British and Irish Governments have stressed that there will be no renegotiation of the Agreement.