SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said there would be anger if Secretary of State James Brokenshire “kicked the can further down the road” in terms of imposing a new deadline on talks.
Mr Brokenshire is due to make a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon on the state of the talks.
It is unlikely he will introduce direct rule or call another Assembly election.
There is speculation he may extend the talks deadline to allow for further all party talks.
But SDLP leader Colum Eastwood is not happy with a further extension of the talks.
He said: “I urge him to ensure that direct rule is not the price that the people of Northern Ireland will have to pay for the political failure of the big two.
“The immediate priority to secure and safeguard the future of our public services and the jobs of public sector workers must be agreed.
“It is incumbent on all of us, as political leaders, to restore confidence in our politics and stability without delay.
“I would also urge the Irish government to fully exert its responsibility and role to ensure that the North is not placed at the mercy of a Tory/DUP coalition.
“In the continuing absence of a local Assembly, the Irish government must be centrally involved in order to retain the hard won political balance which underpins Northern politics.”
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