Freshly appointed secretary of state Julian Smith arrived in Northern Ireland yesterday to meet the political parties and begin work on the many issues that have been left unresolved during Karen Bradley's ill-starred tenure.
This is a time when the various elected representatives try to get the measure of the new incumbent while he will be keen to get off to a good start and determined to avoid major gaffes.
Of course, there is a degree of settling in during this early period in office and the parties recognise this.
But there is also a question mark over the impartiality of the secretary of state while the British government relies on the DUP for its continuation in power.
That relationship undoubtedly soured the talks process under Mrs Bradley and the fact that Mr Smith has strong links with the DUP, working closely on the confidence and supply deal and attending a party conference in 2017 where he heaped praise on its Westminster MPs, will naturally raise concerns among the other parties.
Asked if he was a DUP 'yes man' yesterday, Mr Smith gave a careful answer, citing his responsibility under the Good Friday Agreement to represent and work for every citizen and 'to work equally with every party.'
He added he was very clear on the 'spirit' of that agreement and the law.
It would certainly be a positive development if we had a secretary of state robustly upholding both the spirit and letter of the Good Friday Agreement, which has been undermined in recent years.
Mr Smith also declared that he was going to push to get the talks going, adding the biggest issue is making sure public services and basic important decisions are made for every citizen.
The public will agree that we need urgent action to address serious difficulties in education, which was the subject of an alarming Westminster committee report last week, and in health where already unacceptable waiting times are only getting worse.
The new secretary of state will have his work cut out for him getting Stormont restored anytime soon but he also has to convince the parties that he is able to 'work equally' with them, given his relationship with the DUP.
