Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has downplayed the significance of the Rev Ian Paisley's refusal yesterday to meet Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
Responding in the Dáil to questions from Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Mr Ahern said: "I do not believe we should get too excited about the developments on this issue."
However, Dr Paisley's refusal and emerging signs of division within the DUP have begun to raise concerns among the Opposition that the Government has oversold the level of agreement that exists for the St Andrews proposals.
The DUP leader refused to attend the meeting on the grounds that Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness will not take a pledge of office that includes a commitment to support the police before he becomes Deputy First Minister. The DUP's concerns, said Mr Ahern, had been "dealt with" by the two governments in the St Andrews proposals because the pledge will take account of work done between now and November by the Northern parties on policing.
"It is clear that the issue that created some difficulties today was dealt with by the two governments and was to be dealt with in the preparation for the government committee discussions," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahern did not press for a referendum to be held next March if the Northern parties finally accept the St Andrews proposals - though Fine Gael has become more cautious about opposing such a poll.
Last week Mr Ahern indicated his belief that one would have to be held, while Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said political support for the restoration of the Northern institutions could be achieved by a Dáil vote and not by a poll. Attorney General Rory Brady is to report to Cabinet in coming weeks on whether a referendum is constitutionally necessary, though contradictory signals are emerging from the Government on the issue.
"The fundamental principles of the Good Friday agreement are consent for constitutional change, commitment to exclusively peaceful and democratic means, stable inclusive partnership government and a balanced institutional accommodation of the key relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South and within these islands. These remain unchanged," Mr Ahern said.
"The St Andrews proposals, which arise from the review of the Good Friday agreement, if accepted by the parties, will ensure they are fully reflected and implemented as intended by the agreement for the first time since the suspension of powersharing four years ago.
"The Good Friday agreement was never intended to be static. It provided for a review of its operation by the governments and parties four years after it came into operation. The review began in 2004 but given the events of December 2004 it could not be brought to a conclusion. We hope these proposals will now help to bring the process forward," he said.
Mr Kenny said the abandonment of the meeting in Stormont of the government preparation committee was "disappointing but not surprising".
"It demonstrates that the outstanding issues cannot be resolved overnight," he added. "It is encouraging, however, that none of the parties has rejected the timetable set out in the St Andrews Agreement and this offers the hope of progress in the coming weeks."
