Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin is to hold a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward on the progress is the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.
The major parties in Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government have been in discussions for months over the devolution of policing responsibilities from London to Belfast.
Senior figures in talks between Sinn Féin and the DUP do not expect to meet until later this week at the earliest.
Sinn Féin wants to see progress immediately, but the DUP intends to ensure the finances and community confidence are in place. Fears have been growing that the future of the Executive and Assembly could be jeopardised by the disagreement.
Mr Woodward is expected to attend the funeral of Catholic Cardinal Cahal Daly in Armagh before his meeting with Mr Martin.
The British and Irish governments are keen to progress policing and justice, which is seen as the last piece in the devolution process.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his British counterpart Gordon Brown stressed the importance of the early completion of the devolution of justice and policing powers following a meeting in London in November.
Mr Brown has to call a Westminster election by June and is expected to do so by May, triggering a period of campaigning in Northern Ireland and a possible new government which could complicate efforts to resolve the issue.
Mr Robinson has been dealing with family issues and after his wife Iris stepped down from public life due to ill-health.
