Peter Hain has urged Northern Ireland's political leaders to sit down and discuss the best way to restore devolution.

The Ulster secretary's comments came after Democratic Unionist Party leader Rev Ian Paisley rejected a call to share power with Sinn Fein.

Monday's refusal by the veteran DUP leader means that a power-sharing executive will not be up and running until November, if at all.

MLAs had been due on Tuesday to discuss the creation of a cross-party committee to consider the next steps for the restoration of devolution.

But that was later removed from the assembly's order paper, with a debate on planning policy now due to take place instead.

Hain said he believed the assembly should focus on the restoration of devolution.

"That is why later this week I will be announcing a preparation for the restoration of devolution committee," he said.

The Northern Ireland secretary said all parties were backing the move, although there were questions over who will chair it and how it will operate.

"Once I have satisfied myself on those matters, we will be announcing it," said Hain.

"I think we can find a way around the various concerns that have been put to me by all the parties.

"All their leadership figures ought to be sitting on this committee and ought to be putting on the table the way forward."