Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said Britain is not yet prepared to set out the criteria that would trigger a border poll, following talks with senior British figures in Manchester.
Martin made the comments after sitting down with British prime minister Andy Burnham, where the two leaders covered a range of issues touching on the relationship between Ireland and Britain, including the thorny question of Irish unity.
On the border poll question, Martin was straightforward about where things stand. London is simply not at a point where it wants to put specific conditions or benchmarks on the table. It is a conversation that is clearly still in early stages, and one that Dublin knows cannot be rushed or forced.
A big chunk of the talks focused on legacy issues, specifically the framework that is being worked on to replace the existing UK Legacy Act. That piece of legislation has been deeply controversial, particularly for victims and survivors of the Troubles, and there has been sustained pressure from Dublin to see it overhauled.
The proposed replacement framework would lift the current ban on civil cases taken by victims and their families. That ban has been one of the most criticised elements of the Legacy Act, with families arguing it shut the door on one of the few remaining routes to any kind of accountability or answers.
Alongside that, the talks touched on reform of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. The body was set up as part of the legacy framework to help families get information about what happened to their loved ones during the Troubles, but it has faced criticism over how it operates and whether it is truly delivering for those who need it most.
Martin has been consistent in pushing for a legacy process that actually works for victims rather than one that closes off avenues for truth and justice. The conversations in Manchester appear to be a continuation of that push, with Dublin keeping the pressure on London to get the replacement framework right.
The meetings come at a time when the broader relationship between Ireland and Britain is in a relatively steady place, with both governments keen to maintain good working relations on a range of fronts. Legacy, however, remains one of the most sensitive and unresolved areas, and progress has been slow.
For many families who lost loved ones during the Troubles, the details of whatever framework replaces the Legacy Act will matter enormously. The lifting of the ban on civil cases in particular has been something campaigners have fought hard for, and any final agreement will be closely scrutinised by those who have waited decades for answers.
Martin is expected to continue engaging with British counterparts on these issues in the weeks ahead.