A meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Northern Secretary, arranged for last night in Dublin, was cancelled because of the British cabinet shuffle and will now take place next month.
Mr Andrews and Dr Mo Mowlam had been due to discuss the implementation of the structures proposed in the Belfast Agreement.
Although Dr Mowlam was not affected by the shuffle, it is understood that she had to attend business associated with the overall implications of the moves by the Prime Minister, Mr Blair.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that, following the cancellation, the two ministers had "a substantial telephone conversation" yesterday evening.
Officials of both governments are to meet today in London to deal with the resumption of the Assembly and the establishment of the North-South Council and the British-Irish Council.