There will be no blank cheque on funding for policing and justice in Northern Ireland under a Conservative government, David Cameron has warned.
The Tory leader said there need to be confidence across both communities before powers could be transferred from London to Belfast.
The DUP and Sinn Fein are at loggerheads over the issue, with future foreign investment dependant on the outcome, according to the Northern Ireland Office.
Mr Cameron said: "I can't give a blank cheque but there's a great deal of cross-party consensus about this issue in that we all want to see devolution of law and justice as part of the devolution process.
"You have got to have confidence on all sides before it can happen properly, but we want it to happen and generally speaking commitments that are made we will try to agree to ... but I can't give a blank cheque."
He said the government should involve the Conservatives more in discussions and added he was willing to meet local parties.
Shaun Woodward and US economic envoy Declan Kelly believe investors would welcome political stability.
But the DUP has rubbished claims policing and justice powers are a major consideration for foreign businessmen.
Sinn Fein wants responsibilities handed over to a local minister before Christmas.
Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson needed to stop letting "rejectionists" of an agreement on policing and justice set his agenda.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visits Northern Ireland on Monday for talks with political leaders.
Mr Robinson said he was confident he could secure a better financial deal on policing.
© Press Association