By Adam Evans
Q Radio has been told the Secretary of State is holding last ditch talks with the DUP and Sinn Fein at Stormont.
Party leaders need to reach a powersharing deal by Monday.
If they don't James Brokenshire will work to bring in legislation in Westminster to approve a Northern Ireland budget.
Powersharing collapsed in January this year, as the late Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness pulled out of the executive in protest, citing concerns at how his counterparts in the DUP handled allegations of mismanaging a renewable energy scheme.
The parties have since failed to reach an agreement to return to Stormont, with divisions remaining over culture and the Irish language.
Sinn Fein have said they will not return to government unless the DUP agrees to the introduction of a standalone Irish language act.
The DUP have rejected this, with DUP leader Arlene Foster instead proposing a "cross-community" bill which would include both the Irish language and Ulster Scots.