Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte have said they are not optimistic that Northern Ireland will have a power-sharing administration in place by the November deadline set by the two governments.
The Fine Gael and Labour party leaders spent the day in discussions with the political parties at Stormont.
It was the first time that Fine Gael and Labour have held such discussions in Northern Ireland.
Mr Rabbitte said talks with Ian Paisley and the DUP had focused on the need for loyalist and republican involvement in crime to disappear.
The Labour leader also said it would be 'helpful' if Sinn Féin would take its place on the Policing Board.
Mr Kenny said both Fine Gael and Labour had consistently supported the Government in its efforts to advance the Good Friday Agreement and said the talks were just the first in a series of visits.
The two parties also raised a number of issues with Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.
Mr Kenny said criminality, PSNI re-organisation, the dismantling of watch towers and the re-organisation of barracks and recruitment were all discussed.
Today was the last scheduled day of the Stormont Assembly before the summer recess.
But since the chamber re-opened for business on 15 May there has been no meaningful progress towards establishing a power-sharing administration.
