The Government is insisting that future dialogue between it and unionists has not been jeopardised by the controversy arising from remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, about cross-Border bodies.
Prior to Mr Andrews's comments in Belfast yesterday, the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, had contacted the Taoiseach's Department, seeking clarification of what the Minister had said. Government sources confirmed that he did not speak to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, but discussed the matter with officials.
A Government spokesman said that Mr Andrews had made it clear yesterday that he was talking about agencies that would have "delegated powers" - not government powers, as he had suggested in a radio interview.
The Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, said yesterday that Mr Andrews was a man who "normally speaking, is straightforward and inclined to speak his mind".
"This is an endearing quality but there are times when you should hold your breath for cooling your porridge. Since the talks are ongoing, he should pick his words more carefully".
Mr Mitchell said he would not call on him to consider his position but, since Mr Andrews finds himself "in expansive mood", words that he utters will be "picked up by both sides to suit themselves". He should exercise more caution.
The Labour party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said the remarks about the cross-Border bodies having powers "not unlike a government" were unwise and ill-judged. The peace process had reached a critical juncture and all sides should be keenly aware of the sensitivities involved.
"It would be a travesty if such comments placed the work of this Government and previous administrations into jeopardy. Mr Andrews should be more careful and judicious in his use of language in the context of Northern Ireland," Mr Quinn added.
Sources close to Mr Andrews last night dismissed claims by the leader of Democratic Left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, that he was showing "all the poise of a bull in a china shop".
According to Mr De Rossa, the Minister was guilty of "a number of blunders" in recent weeks that had jeopardised the Northern talks process.
Mr De Rossa also criticised Mr Andrews for making a direct representation to the German Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, two weeks ago to withdraw extradition proceedings against Ms Roisin McAliskey. This was "a virtually unprecedented intervention by a political figure into what is a judicial process involving two other states".