The "furore" created at the Northern Ireland talks process by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, has been played down by the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam.
Looking forward to making progress at Stormont later in the week, after yesterday's "rocky start", Dr Mowlam commented they had all used words at times that had got them into trouble. She was not being rude when she recognised that Mr Andrews's words had got him into difficulties.
Speaking to the British/Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in London, Dr Mowlam took a minimalist view in addressing the issue of North/South structures in Strand Two. Rather than having "government-style powers", as suggested by Mr Andrews, the Secretary of State said they were "likely" to be bodies which have "real responsibility but which are accountable to government institutions in Northern Ireland and the Republic".
As for the future, she said the talks process would be pushed forward with all the power and the confidence that the British government had, but it would be a matter of securing agreement between the parties, rather than imposing solutions.
"We cannot force people to talk or to give up illegal weapons, but that is what we are trying to get people to do," she said.
The British government is to respond "very soon" to representations made by the Government and by the families of those who were killed and injured on Bloody Sunday.
The Northern Secretary promised to make an "early statement" in connection with the material received from the Government. And although no options were ruled out, she was not in a position to say what action would be taken.
Last week, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, pressurised the British government to respond through the establishment of a new judicial inquiry when he threatened to unilaterally publish the details of the Government's submission after Christmas, if there was no indication of action.
The Secretary of State told the Inter-Parliamentary Body that the pain and distress of the families of the Bloody Sunday victims was still there after 25 years and their pain and suffering "could not be removed with words alone".
"No options have been ruled out, but I am not yet in a position to say what action we will take. I will make a statement as soon as possible. I hope that will be very soon," she said. She understood the pressure on Dublin and she did not want to go through another anniversary of Bloody Sunday at the end of next month without a statement being given.
As for Mr Ahern's threat to publish the material, she said it had been intended to publish it in any event. "It should be in the public domain," she said, "and people should be able to read it."
The Northern Ireland Secretary also held out the prospect of the early transfer of republican prisoners from Britain to the Republic, when she said that the repatriation of three prisoners had already been agreed by the Home Secretary and that "further applications are under consideration by the two governments".
British military activity had been reduced by one-third in Northern Ireland since last July, she said, and further steps on the road to normality would be taken "when possible". Such action, Dr Mowlam said, would "depend entirely on the level of threat prevailing at the time and the assessment made by the Chief Constable and General Office Commanding of that threat".
Responding to a question from Mr Austin Currie TD, Dr Mowlam said she would open up Stormont and not have it as a house on the hill. She intended to have pop concerts, classical music, nature trails, a creche and a running track.
The parliamentary body will discuss the peace process this morning.