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It was born out of the Irish peace process, but yesterday's meeting of the British-Irish Council led to more megaphone diplomacy between Wales and Westminster.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones used the meeting to repeat his government's demand to have the final say over major windfarm projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told a news conference afterwards: "I think the key thing is always to listen in mutual respect and not to rush to conclusions, to allow things to be examined very clearly.

"And that's certainly the spirit in which we look at the points Carwyn has raised, and indeed many other points about the push and pull of the settlement of powers within a devolved United Kingdom."

Perhaps he was just being polite but an optimistic Carwyn Jones then announced: "Following my representations to the UK Government today, the UK Energy Minister has confirmed that he will be considering our calls for greater powers in this area, and will be responding shortly."

Very shortly, in fact. Before Carwyn Jones had time to catch the train to London the UK Minister issued his own statement, with a very different version of events: "A referendum on further powers for the National Assembly in the 20 devolved areas was held in March, and there are no current proposals to make further changes to the Welsh devolution settlement.

"The policy on devolving energy powers to the Assembly remains the same as it did under the previous (Labour)Westminster Government. Charles Hendry explained he had set out the position in November and it remained the same today."

Over to you, Carwyn Jones (via a spokesperson): "The statement by DECC is a slap in the face for the people of Wales."

If only scientists could find a way of harnessing the energy generated by all the hot air that has been produced during the last 24 hours.

Staging a very public row on this issue does suit a (Welsh) government blamed by many in mid Wales for encouraging windfarm development in Montgomeryshire through its own planning guidelines.

More from the First Minister's spokesperson: "The UK Government have now made it crystal clear that they will in future take decisions over windfarms in Wales and consequently, this is nothing to do with the Welsh Government."

In other words, don't blame us if those windfarms get the go-ahead.

Amid the insults and buck-passing, Labour's former coalition partners Plaid Cymru will doubtless be re-assured by the re-emergence of one of their favourite political phrases.

I'd assumed that particular expression had been retired after I its over-use six years ago.

Perhaps the political thesaurus is part of Plaid Cymru's legacy in government. Alternatively, they might consider suing for breach of copyright.