Trimble on the double

As his brother Bobby was being mentioned in Euro circles as a possible member of David Byrne's new cabinet, Philip McDonagh, who is in the Department of Foreign Affairs, was responsible for a first in Anglo-Irish relations. David Trimble met the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on Tuesday in the Irish Embassy in London - the last time, Trimble insisted on the neutral territory of a hotel. Then, on Tuesday night, Trimble returned to the embassy for a farewell party for McDonagh who is off as ambassador to India. Trimble's double first visit gladdened the hearts of all Irish diplomats bogged down in the quagmire of the Northern peace process.