The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, is to meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, in Dublin today to discuss the latest developments in the peace process.
The meeting in Iveagh House, which will also be attended by the Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell, follows efforts in Washington over St Patrick's weekend to break the current impasse.
A Government spokesman said last night that the meeting is in advance of one between the Taoiseach and the British prime minister, Mr Blair, on the fringes of the Lisbon summit later this week.