President Mary McAleese is to travel to Northern Ireland in coming days in a last-ditch bid to boost power-sharing prospects.
An official visit to Armagh by the Belfast-born head of state was today approved by the Government at its weekly meeting.
A Government spokesman said: "The proposal was agreed to by the Taoiseach and the Cabinet."
It is not known when the visit will take place or who Mrs McAleese will be meeting.
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Mrs McAleese said last month that she was very hopeful that political parties could reach a devolution deal by the November 24 deadline.
"I have every hope that come November we are going to see the sea change that so many of us have been hoping and waiting for. I am very, very hopeful," she remarked.