THE Taoiseach has challenged the IRA to "throw away for good the crutch of violence" and commit itself unreservedly to the political process, on the eve of his first meeting with the new British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair.
In a keynote speech to the Oxford Union last night, Mr Bruton said the republican movement was "at a crossroads". But while urging them to take the political road, and again promising them their place in "inclusive talks", the Taoiseach warned: "We want peace but we will not compromise our democratic values."
Before the address, Mr Bruton told journalists he would like to see Sinn Fein included in the resumed talks process on June 3rd if the IRA delivered a genuine ceasefire. While the question was a hypothetical one, it was possible it could be included at that stage if the republican movement deployed the imagination to convince people that their actions matched their words".
Mr Bruton said the IRA should abandon punishment shootings, sign up to the Mitchell principles and deliver "a truly believeable ceasefire".
In his address to the Oxford Union, Mr Bruton hit out at unionist intransigence, warning "the high priests and reverend doctors of inertia" against "the delusion that violence is the only thing wrong with Northern Ireland, and that the extirpation of certain other political groups is the one thing required for a solution".
Appealing to unionists to enter substantive negotiations, Mr Bruton told them they had nothing to fear from talks involving Sinn Fein once the threat of violence was removed: "Unionists have resisted violent terrorism for 25 years. If there was an end to violence what, by comparison, is there to fear from sitting at a table with Sinn Fein? If republicans cannot bomb unionists into a united Ireland, how likely is it that they could trick or talk them into it against their will? No chance."
Mr Bruton is expected to spend about an hour with Mr Blair at Downing Street this afternoon, the new Prime Minister's first meeting with a fellow European leader since last week's election. The Taoiseach will be accompanied by the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, who will have separate discussions with the new Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook.
Europe and Northern Ireland will dominate the discussions, during what is being described as more a courtesy call" than a summit.
The discussions will also be attended by Dr Mo Mowlam, the Northern Ireland Secretary, who had a working dinner with the Tanaiste last night.
In a clear signal of the new government's desire to be seen to be evenhanded, Mr Blair met the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, yesterday.
Meanwhile, it has been learned that the Taoiseach hopes to meet Mr Trimble next week. It is understood that Mr Bruton's diary commitments in London today prevented him taking up Mr Trimble's offer to meet him.
The Taoiseach's Department is hoping to arrange that meeting as well as sessions with other NI party leaders next week.