THE key to resolving the differences on arms decommissioning was by adhering to the Mitchell principles, the Tanaiste said.
"To the best of my knowledge, I have not heard anybody stand up in any party, or either government, and say that Mitchell was not the solution," Mr Spring added. He said people had missed the fact that there had to be decommissioning on the loyalist side as well.
Replying to Mr Michael McDowell (PD, Dublin South East) he said he believed that if a fourth strand, or sub committee on decommissioning, was set up in the all party negotiations it could apply itself to considering and addressing the issue while the substantive political negotiations were taking place.
Pressed Mr Ivor Callely (FF, Dublin North Central) to clarify the Government's view of the relationship between Sinn Fein and the IBA, the Tanaiste said "Successive governments have operated on the practical assumption that Sinn Fein and the IRA are closely inter related in terms of ideology, strategy and to some extent personnel.
"The opening of Ministerial dialogue with Sinn Fein, and their inclusion in the [peace] Forum, came about in consequence of the 1994 ceasefire. While there are distinctions to be made, I certainly believe very fundamentally it is realistic to regard them as broadly part of the same movement."
Pressed further, the Tanaiste replied that Mr Callely should subscribe to the Fianna Fail policy on the matter. There had been a consistent approach taken by governments in the Republic. "Since the foundation of the State, we have pursued consistent policies relating to subversive organisations and we are not going to change that policy now.
The Fianna Fail spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke, intervened to say "Lest there be any misunderstanding about it, that is the exact position of the Fianna Fail party."