ACCEPTANCE of the Mitchell commission's findings could pave the way for all party talks on Northern Ireland, the Taoiseach said.

He was replying to the PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, who asked if acceptance by all parties of the Mitchell commission report could break the logjam and allow all party talks to begin. "That is almost certainly the case," said Mr Bruton.

He said that all party talks by the end of February were still the "firm aim" of the Irish and British governments. "We are both working together to achieve that objective."

He said together with the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, he had repeatedly stressed the need to ensure that the entire initiative was operated as a joint exercise by the two governments. Intensive discussions were continuing to achieve that.

He was also replying to the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, who asked if he was confident that the two governments would be able to give their support to the Mitchell report and if they would be able to move forward to all party talks before the end of February.

On the possibility of an elected convention in the North, Mr Bruton said that it was a matter which the various parties involved had been invited to consider in the political track.