DETAILS are now emerging of just how fraught was that dinner in Government Buildings earlier this month when John Bruton, Dick Spring, Proinsias de Rossa and AG Dermot Gleeson entertained unionist leaders David Trimble, John Taylor and Ken Maginnis.
The hosts, along with Government officials, were doing their utmost to charm their guests - but to no avail. The dinner, which took place in the Taoiseach's dining room - known to some as Harry's Room since the former AG used it often during the last administration - was seen as an opportunity to repair North/South relations which have been going rapidly downhill in recent months.
Indeed, it was hoped that Mr Taylor would use the opportunity to tell the Tanaiste, or failing that, the media, that he didn't really mean to call Dick the most detested politician in the North. The remark, which hung over the entire proceedings, was never mentioned.
As one source said: "We tried to be as gracious as possible but there was a good deal of tension. The positive side is that it took place at all." There are no plans as yet for a return dinner.
Meanwhile, a much more cordial dinner was hosted by the Taoiseach last week. He had Cardinal Cahal Daly, Archbishop, Dermot Clifford, Bishop Michael Smith and Bishop John Kirby in for a chat about peace. Relations in the dining room on this occasion were a lot better.