Draft documents are being exchanged between the British and Irish governments and republicans about what may be possible for the IRA to do and say in terms of trying to break the political deadlock.
It is still too early to speculate on whether a deal will emerge, or that an Assembly election will go ahead in November.
Clearly the Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble are engaged in continuing dialogue to examine what each side needs in order to broker a deal.
Mr Trimble and Mr Adams will have a further meeting today (Wednesday). But they have not yet reached a point where both can agree what is necessary for republicans and unionists to sign up to.
The Irish News understands that even though a further act of IRA decommissioning may take place at some future point, the basic problem at this time is about words.
The words, of course, relate to paragraph 13 of the joint declaration prepared by the British and Irish governments in April.
This key paragraph, which may make or break a deal, states that paramilitarism and sectarian violence must be brought to an end, from whichever part of the community they come.
The declaration says that we need to see an immediate, full and permanent cessation of all paramilitary activity, including military attacks, training, targeting, intelligence gathering, acquisition or development of arms or weapons, other preparations for terrorist campaigns, punishment beatings and attacks, and involvement in riots.
Also this paragraph makes clear that the practice of exiling must come to an end and the exiled must feel free to return in safety. Similarly, sectarian attacks and intimidation directed at vulnerable communities must cease.
According to some sources, dialogue is continuing between the governments and republicans on drafting wording which essentially would mean the same as those words contained in paragraph 13.
Basically the process is back in the same situation as it was in April. If republicans are saying they cannot deliver more than was being offered then, the question is whether this is genuine or the start of a pattern of future negotiation?
For example, will words be offered that mean in a straight-forward manner that the war is over? There is still no sign of this emerging.
The lack of a deal on wording poses questions on whether just now republicans are tactically trying to extract some more from the governments, or is it strategic?
Sources explained that a week ago republicans were not pushing the British government too hard in relation to other issues under the joint declaration such as human rights, equality, and justice etc. But it may be that Sinn Féin is now starting to outline in more detail what it is pressing for.
Behind the scenes there will also be continuing arguments over the possible timescale for devolution of justice and policing, in the event of a deal, and this would involve discussion with various parties, some of whom, such as the SDLP, seek a two-year timeframe.
Meanwhile, UUP leader Mr Trimble told East Belfast unionist association last night that he could not say when, if ever, the Assembly suspension will be lifted.
Mr Trimble said: "It is clear that we are approaching the end of the transition, the end of the overlong implementation of the agreement.
"As always, we cannot be sure if the transition will be successfully concluded.
"It is still possible that the republicans will be unable or unwilling to take leave finally of violence and paramilitarism.
"Yet because we are clearly in the endgame, the DUP are desperately hoping that they can exploit the difficulties and pains of the transition in order to snatch the spoils of our successes.
"They no longer seek to destroy the agreement. Given a fig leaf of a 'renegotiation' they will cheerfully accept the places and power the agreement gives to locally elected representatives."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan has said a date must be set immediately for an autumn election to provide the sort of impetus and focus the political process needs.
Alliance leader David Ford said the first and most fundamental issue to be resolved before the political process can be restored is that republicans must indicate that there will be an end to all forms of paramilitary activity.
The DUP's Nigel Dodds said his party wants an election now, whether the IRA does something or not, and whether David Trimble likes it or not.
