Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly intends to have a meeting with his Northern Ireland counterpart later this week to discuss the Covid-19 situation on the island.
It comes following criticism from Northern Ireland's political leaders and the Health Minister Robin Swann about difficulties in securing such a meeting.
Earlier, Minister Swann expressed his disappointment that discussions between the two health ministers had not yet taken place, two weeks after he requested a meeting.
A spokesperson for Stephen Donnelly said this evening that there has been "ongoing engagement" with Robin Swann. He said that Minister Donnelly replied to a recent letter from Mr Swann and said there should be further engagement among officials ahead of a