Senior DUP members Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Nigel Dodds last night called for a peaceful summer, a call which was immediately welcomed by the president of Sinn Féin, Mr Gerry Adams, and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
The Robinson/Dodds plea for calm and the promptness of the response from Mr Adams and Mr Ahern could indicate some degree of sequencing to the statements between these politicians, although a senior DUP source would make no comment when asked was there any "choreography" to the statements.
Cross-community work involving leading nationalist and unionist politicians in behind-the-scenes contacts was largely instrumental in ensuring a relatively peaceful marching season last year, and this development could be equally important in determining how this summer unfolds at the interfaces.
While too much should not be read into any possible "tick-tacking" between the Government, the DUP and Sinn Féin, it could indicate some potential for movement, were this in fact the case, at a wider political level in terms of breaking the political deadlock.
Mr Ahern in his statement last night indicated as much when he said, "The quiet summer on the streets enjoyed by the people of Northern Ireland last year was an enormous relief for the communities on interfaces. A repeat of that experience this year is no more than people deserve.
"It would also help to create a broader climate of confidence that could assist the collective efforts being made to advance political progress in Northern Ireland."
Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds, the respective MPs for East and North Belfast, which experienced some of the worst sectarian violence in recent years, urged "calm as we approach what is traditionally the most dangerous period of the year".
"There is nothing to be gained for the unionist community by being drawn into activities which threaten lives and livelihoods," they added.
"It is in the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland to have a peaceful summer. Indeed those who live in areas which have been the focus of problems have the most to gain from a quiet summer period," they said.
Mr Adams responded, "I welcome the DUP support for efforts to ensure a peaceful summer and agree that everyone in positions of influence should do all in their powers to bring this about.
"It is important that this sentiment is acted upon at all levels of our community and I would urge community leaders and activists, particularly at interface areas, to engage with their counterparts across the political divide."
