The call for a Northern Ireland Saint Patrick's Day holiday followed a recent decision by Belfast City Council to refuse funding for a Saint Patrick's parade in Belfast.
He was gaining soundings about any chances for progress before the parties travel to Washington to take part in the 17 March Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, speaking in Washington ahead of the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, US special envoy to Northern Ireland Mitchell Reiss said the government's inquiry into the killing must be "transparent and have the power to publish the full truth".