Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was briefed by Sinn Féin leaders in Dublin tonight on the progress on the devolution of policing and justice powers in the North.
Deputy Northern Ireland First Minister Martin McGuinness and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams met Mr Ahern and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern at Government Buildings tonight.
They discussed the forthcoming US Investment Conference in Belfast and efforts to devolve justice and policing powers to the Stormont Assembly by May.
A statement from the Taoiseach's office said he used the meeting to reiterate the position in his recent joint statement with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown "that the time is right for the parties to move forward and take the final steps towards full devolution and full normality, as set out in the St Andrews Agreement."
Mr Adams added that Mr Ahern and Mr Brown had made clear their desire for a speedy transfer of powers.
"If people keep to their commitments, there is no reason why policing should not be devolved," he said. "It is the popular will, people want local accountable ministers to have responsibility and they want the Assembly to be able to bring in legislation in keeping with the need to protect victims of crime to defend communities."
Mr Adams said the intended resignation of the First Minister, Mr Paisley, was also discussed, along with the need for progress on St Andrews agreement principles which paved the way for last May's political power-sharing deal.