Stormont politicians have been briefed by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on Gordon Brown's financial offer ahead of the transfer of policing and justice powers.
But none of the parties was shown the letter from the Prime Minister that detailed his proposal, sparking UUP leader Sir Reg Empey to demand wider talks to resolve the stand-off.
The parties held separate meetings with Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness at Stormont Castle, but while they were briefed on the Prime Minister's offer, they were told he had not given permission for them to see it in black-and-white.
'Letter'
"Imagine with all the other problems we have, with education and all the others things, we are getting into a circular argument about a letter," said Sir Reg.
"There are more important things to discuss here."
On Monday Mr Brown passed a letter to Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness detailing his financial offer on funding the cost of devolution, and while Sinn Fein has accepted the offer, the DUP has yet to do so.
Peter Robinson is also asking for further confidence-building measures.
With both parties committed to leaving the new post of Justice Minister to a politician from outside their ranks, the Alliance Party is favourite to eventually fill the role.
Alliance leader David Ford said that he believed progress was being made.
"Sometimes it takes an awful lot of preliminary work before an agreement can be reached in a relatively short period of time," he said.
"Today was an opening briefing for parties who have not been involved in discussions. It was emphasised on a number of occasions that this was the Prime Minister's paper and it will be up to the Prime Minister to decide at what point it is published.
"But I think First Minister and Deputy First Minister gave us as much detail as they could do."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Peter Robinson did most of the talking during the meeting, adding he did not get the impression that the DUP leader was close to a deal on completing devolution.
Mr Robinson has called for the Conservative Party to endorse any deal with the Labour government to ensure that, if David Cameron leads his party to power, it will abide by the devolution deal.
A spokesperson for the First and Deputy First Ministers later confirmed they had briefed the parties.
They said that Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness would be happy to have the Prime Minister's proposals made public by Downing Street.
The two political leaders pledged to provide further information and arrange further meetings with the political parties as necessary.
© Press Association