Ms Cathy Herbert:

I mean he had to deal with the ... what the Governor said. He had to ... I think, if I remember correctly, I think there was an engagement in ... there would have been Leaders' Questions. He would have an engagement in the Dáil and that and I mean, he simply had to go out and say, "Yes, this is the case and this is what we're doing." I mean, he had actually on the Wednesday morning done an interview when he said ... indicated that discussions were taking place at official level and things, you know, the matter was being explored. But for reasons the Government didn't wish to narrow their options or weaken their hand, they wanted to keep their powder dry for negotiations which they expected to take place. They didn't go out and confirm. I mean, it wasn't a great moment but, you know, he had to deal with what ... he clearly went out and said "Yes, this is the case."