Sinn Fein has accused First Minister David Trimble of wrecking tactics after he announced he would not be appointing the party's ministers to North-South meetings.
Mr Trimble said he will appeal last week's court ruling that he must send the ministers.
However, Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said there is a growing belief that the Ulster Unionist leader is afraid and does not want to face the electorate while he is in government with his party.