Hopes rose again yesterday of a deal between the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP on cross-Border bodies and the restructuring of government departments in Northern Ireland.
With the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, and his deputy, Mr John Taylor, away on political business in London, a senior colleague, Mr Reg Empey, led the party in discussions with the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon of the SDLP.
It is now understood that the Irish language and Ulster Scots are to be the subject of a cross-Border implementation body. This is seen primarily as a gesture to Sinn Fein, although republicans were thought to have an even greater interest in the number and designation of government departments.
The main outstanding difficulty was said to be the SDLP's insistence that an implementation body be established in the areas of tourism. This would have brought the total to seven, a development strongly opposed by the unionists. There is expected to be compromise whereby a "co-ordinating body" for tourism, possibly established as a private corporation, will be agreed if the two governments find such a format acceptable.
There was a short, sharp exchange on the issue between the two main parties on Tuesday, and discussions broke up after five minutes, only to be resumed for about 30 minutes in the afternoon. Sources said the SDLP had been persuaded to drop its demand for a separate body on strategic transport planning, although the party was expecting a reciprocal gesture from Mr Trimble.
There were indications that the SDLP, in particular, was "talking down" the prospects of a deal, for fear any agreement might unravel, as it did after the last visit by the British Prime Minister. There were suggestions also that yesterday's talks were a matter of "going through the motions" before the formal conclusion of an agreement, possibly late this evening. Mr Mallon will not be available tomorrow, associates said, as he is to undergo a minor operation for gallstones. Mr Trimble will also be absent most of tomorrow.
One of the surprising developments has been the "rehabilitation" of the SDLP leader with the Ulster Unionists, reflecting the difficult relationship with Mr Mallon. A top-level UUP figure is said to have told Mr Blair: "Bring back John Hume, all is forgiven."
Expectations remain that both Mr Blair and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will come to Belfast as early as Monday to give their blessing to the agreement, but the visit is being seen as a photo-opportunity and not an emergency rescue bid. There was said to be concern in Dublin that the cross-Border bodies would be so weak as to make it impossible to persuade the IRA to make a gesture on decommissioning. Mr Trimble met Mr Blair last evening. Members of the UUP Assembly team are said to be "jittery" about any cross-Border body which has the word "Trade" in its title. However, there is said to be agreement on having 10 ministries plus a "centre" department overseen by Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon.
It now looks as if nationalists may have to accept there will be no more than six cross-Border implementation bodies at this stage, but the door will be left open for more. There will also be scope for developing cross-Border relationships further when the North-South ministerial council is established.
Mr Trimble's position has been strengthened by the more active involvement of Mr Taylor on the domestic political scene in recent weeks. Dissidents have lost hope in him as a possible "white knight", and Mr Taylor's role could be crucial in persuading the Assembly team to accept the forthcoming deal. While there may be defections to the anti-agreement side of the House, they are unlikely to be sufficient to undermine Mr Trimble politically.
The "unionist" cross-Border bodies are said to be Inland Waterways, Food Safety and Aqua-culture. The nationalist and republican ones are Trade and (possibly) Transport, European Programmes and the Irish Language/Ulster Scots with a probable "fudge" over Tourism.