THE Taoiseach rejected criticism by the Fianna Fail leader of the start of the multilateral consultation process in Belfast on Monday. Mr Bertie Ahern said that what happened outside Stormont was a "complete fiasco".
Mr Bruton replied that what had taken place in Stormont was a series of ministerial, as distinct from official level, consultations. The ground rules had been made known well in advance and involved a clear statement that ministerial consultations would be available to parties that were not involved in association with an ongoing campaign of violence.
However, it was equally clear that both administrations were willing to hold official level consultations with Sinn Fein.
Mr Ahern said that Mr John Hume and Mr Seamus Mallon had both understood that the arrangements would be different.
Mr David Trimble had not received an invitation to the talks, he added. Was it the case that the Government was going along with arrangements made by the British government, and that it had no responsibility when the whole matter was a mess?
Insisting that it was not correct to describe Monday's meetings in such terms, the Taoiseach said there had been a substantial bilateral meeting between the Tanaiste and Sir Patrick Mayhew and this was followed by a further substantial meeting with the SDLP. The arrangements for the consultations were being undertaken jointly by the two governments.
Mr Bruton also said he would be "responding positively" later in the day to Mr David Trimble's suggestion that it might be helpful if an Ulster Unionist delegation met the leaders of the Government at a mutually convenient time and place.