The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, and the Secretary General of his Department, Mr Padraic MacKernan, have moved to end publicly the dispute that pushed their relationship to breaking point.
Following a meeting between the two men in the Minister's office yesterday, Mr Andrews issued a statement expressing regret - on both their parts - over the controversy. Stressing that their "recent difficulties were now behind them", they affirmed their determination to work together in the continuing implementation of Irish foreign policy. The text was cleared in advance of publication by Mr MacKernan.
The Minister travelled to Iveagh House on his return from Canada yesterday morning and his statement said the 40-minute meeting was "conducted in a very friendly atmosphere and covered a wide range of current issues". The two men had discussed their differences in a telephone conversation on Saturday, after the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, urged that everybody act like "grown men".
Promotions in the Department - one of the main issues that led to acrimony between them - was discussed and the Minister asked Mr MacKernan to "pursue consultations with all concerned, including the relevant unions".
The Secretary General, who had indicated in a previous memo to the Minister that he would like to consider dealing with the promotions logjam in the Department, is to report back with proposals "as soon as possible". This is understood to signify a new rapprochement. After yesterday's meeting they met the Department's Management Advisory Committee and reviewed recent developments in Kosovo, the campaign to win a UN Security Council seat, and progress on EU business, including Agenda 2000.