The Taoiseach says he is "afraid to be optimistic" about the prospect of the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly, but said that the British Irish Council had a good meeting in Dublin Castle.
Leo Varadkar said he was disappointed not to be joined at the BIC by Michelle O'Neill and Jeffrey Donaldson, but the First Minister designate and DUP leader were not expected at the meeting, as Stormont remains suspended.
Mr Varadkar said the UK was working very hard with the DUP, but stressed that there had been a "lot of false dawns" in the past.
He said it was vital that if the assembly was restored, it was sustainable.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, said he was "keen to ensure that the institutions are back up running, delivering for NI and are reconstituted on a sound and sustainable basis".
He said Northern Secretary Chris Heaton Harris had updated participants on progress, not just with the DUP, but other parties, and couldn't say more.
"Everyone around the table lamented the fact that the Executive is not up and running and all of us want to do everything we can ... to see accountable government restored."
On the deadline for a return to power-sharing, Mr Varadkar said there was no set deadline, but he hoped there would be progress before mid-January, when a decision had to be made "not to trigger elections" in Northern Ireland.
"I'd hope it doesn't get to that decision point", he said, remaining hopeful there would be progress before Christmas.
