A CLAIM by the PD leader that the Northern talks were "disillusioning" led her into sharp exchanges with the Taoiseach.

Ms Mary Harney said they were now in the fourth week of the multi party talks, and, initially, there had been calls for a short time frame to conclude them. "Would the Taoiseach accept that what is visible from those talks is very disillusioning and disappointing?"

She also asked if the governments could not do more to inject a new momentum into the process and ensure that a move beyond procedural and preliminary matters on to substantive issues.

Mr Bruton said he did not at all agree with the use of the term "disillusioning", adding that the choice of word was unfortunate, given the depth of the division that existed in Northern Ireland.

"This is the first time that some of these parties have ever sat down together in history. To expect that they would, in a week or two, be able to overcome centuries of disagreement in terms of their respective historical positions is quite unrealistic.

"I believe that what is evident in the talks in Belfast is a will on the part of the participants to stay together, to argue together, to disagree together, until they eventually reach agreement together. While I naturally share some degree of impatience about the matter, it is important to make the point that the governments have been working together for months and months on the procedures and the ground rules."

Later, Ms Harney asked if the Taoiseach accepted that when people took a different view to himself, and posed questions, they were doing it for the best of motives and to be helpful. "Does the Taoiseach accept that I have a right to ask questions, even if at times if they are awkward quest ions?"

Mr Bruton repeated that Ms Harney had been "entirely wrong to describe the talks as "disillusioning", bearing in mind that it was the first time the parties had come together.

The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, suggested the Taoiseach should be concerned that the Government was being represented at the talks by inexperienced ministers and ministers of State who had no track record on the North.

Mr Bruton said the representation of the Government was at the highest level. "There is also a very expert official team backing up all of the ministers in Belfast, who are there virtually full time.

While the demands of the Dail and the EU presidency created a problem for ministers who could not be "in three places at the one time", the Government had made good solid arrangements to ensure it was represented effectively at political and official level, he added.