Confirmation of the ambiguity at the heart of the EU leaders' compromise on single currency management came on Saturday with agreement on the final summit declaration.
However, there is no doubt that during bargaining both sides - the single currency "ins" and "outs" - narrowed the room for manoeuvre of the other to the point where, with genuine goodwill, conflict can be minimised.
The Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok, described the debate as a battle of prestige between Britain and France. It was the veteran heavyweight figure of Chancellor Helmut Kohl who intervened on Friday to cut short six hours of argument to propose a simple formula which both accepted. Both had a good story to take home.
Above all, the central decision-making role on broad economic policy of the meetings of all 15 finance ministers, Ecofin, was strongly reaffirmed. The EU treaty also guarantees the independence and competences of the European Central Bank.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, welcomed the agreement, reiterating his wish to see Britain as closely involved as possible. In its determination to be at the core of decision-making, he said, he saw a determination on Britain's part to be eventually part of the single currency.
The British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, was able to declare with a confidence few would share that the deal "avoids any possible future misunderstandings". But his contention that "insofar as there is economic government in Europe, it is a matter for all 15" would reflect a genuine consensus.
France's suspected ambitions to create a new locomotive for the train of economic integration have been thwarted.
But, crucially, the "outs" do recognise that there are cases when the "ins" do need to be able to meet alone in the infamous Euro-X committee. The text describes the circumstances as "issues connected with their shared specific responsibilities for the single currency".
The term "specific" is meant to imply only those issues on which the treaty actually confers voting rights exclusively to the "ins", issues like management of exchange rates between the euro and other currencies, the enforcing of the disciplines of the euro-members' stability pact, and technical issues like the shape of coins.
Yet there is room here for a tussle on the interpretation of exactly when and how the "outs" can be excluded. Leaders were reluctant to enumerate each case, preferring to face each issue as it arises, hopefully in a less charged context. In any case, the certainty that markets were said to need over the stability pact disciplines is not as necessary in the political domain.
They did, however, agree to a presence for the Commission at all Euro-X meetings, perhaps to the chagrin of Britain and Germany.
The key section of the declaration reads:
"The Ecofin Council is the only body empowered to formulate and adopt the broad economic policy guidelines which constitute the main instrument of economic co-ordination.
"The defining position of the Ecofin Council at the centre of the economic co-ordination and decision-making process affirms the unity and cohesion of the Communiity.
"The ministers of the states participating in the euro area may meet informally among themselves to discuss issues connected with their shared specific responsibilities for the single currency. The Commission, and the European Central Bank when appropriate, will be invited to take part in the meetings.
"Whenever matters of common interest are concerned they will be discussed by ministers of all member-states."
