ANGLO IRISH relations remain at a low ebb as the Taoiseach insists that his strong criticism of the British government and the RUC over their handling of the recent Orange marches is "self evidently true".
After initial hesitation, the British government has agreed to a demand from the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, for a full Anglo Irish Inter Governmental Conference meet"ing to discuss the political ramifications of events at Garvaghy Road and after last week. It will take place on Thursday and Mr Bruton has indicated that it will be used to rebuild damaged relations.
"Difficult and painful as it is, we have got to put the events of the past week behind us and start again," he said yesterday.
Mr John Major last night tried to put his row with Mr Bruton behind him, while describing the Taoiseach's criticisms as extremely unhelpful". He said he would try "again and again and again" to establish peace, but he rejected Irish suggestions that his government had interfered in the RUC Chief Constable's decision to permit the Drumcree march to go ahead last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mr Spring is due to have preparatory discussions with the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, on the fringes of today's multi party talks in Belfast.
Condemnation of the British government and police treatment of the parades at Garvaghy Road and the Ormeau Road in Belfast continued to come from Opposition parties yesterday as the SDLP leadership travelled to Dublin to brief politicians.
The Cabinet will discuss the deteriorating situation in the North tomorrow. Prior to having dinner at Government Buildings last night with the SDLP delegation, the Taoiseach said he did not think Sir Patrick could rebut the criticism levelled against him.
Earlier in the House of Commons, the Northern Secretary said he intended at the IGC meeting to reject "very firmly quite unjustified and unwarranted criticism".
"In particular, my purpose will be, in the presence of the Chief Constable, to rebut any suggestion of political interference in his operational decisions."
Last night the Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Annesley, again strongly denied that his operational decisions concerning Drumcree had been influenced by political interference.
The Taoiseach indicated that his discussions with the SDLP were taking place against the "sombre background of intimidation, which had been conducted on a large scale and which caused great anguish to the community which the SDLP has represented"
Stressing the need for a renewed urgency and momentum "based on democratic dialogue", Mr Bruton said it was very important that the two governments work together. The Garvaghy Road operation was not an expression of governments working together, but was "a unilateral decision on the part of the British government".
"An early calling of an Anglo Irish conference meeting will help to restore a common sense of purpose and action in this area, which is crucial," he said.
Refusing to rule out or rule in the prospect of an Anglo Irish summit, the Taoiseach said he had no doubt but the British government was as determined as his to make the process work.
Asked what the Government could do to reassure nationalists, the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, said the Taoiseach's reaction had been "very strong, powerful and clear". It was proof that the Government was paying close attention to what was happening.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, also met Mr Hume, fellow MPs Mr Seamus Mallon, Mr Eddie McGrady and Dr Joe Hendron and Cllr Brid Rodgers. Mr Ahern is scheduled to meet a Sinn Fein delegation in Dublin tomorrow.
Mr Major confirmed that Sir Hugh Annesley would attend Thursday's meeting "to tell the Irish, looking into their eyes, that he made the operational decisions and that what they had said was mistaken".
He spread the blame for last week's events between the Portadown Orangemen and the Garvaghy Road residents, and he rejected the idea that the outcome was seen as a unionist "victory".