THE Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, denied that he differed with the Tanaiste on the terms for Sinn Fein's entry to the Northern talks after a renewed IRA ceasefire.

He was replying to the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, who asked him to clarify the confusing statements which, he said, had emanated from Mr Bruton and Mr Spring on Wednesday.

Mr Bruton replied: "There is no conflict in regard to this matter within, or between, members of the Government. The only conflict is in Deputy Ahern's mind."

The requirements for a party to enter the multi party talks were set out clearly in paragraphs eight and nine oil the ground rules paper, he said. The first requirement was an IRA ceasefire and the second was to establish that it was credible and not tactical.

Asked by the Progressive Democrats leader, Ms Mary Harney, if he believed that Sinn Fein was genuinely trying to have the IRA ceasefire reinstated, the Taoiseach replied that he believed there were people within the party genuinely seeking to have it restored on a credible basis. The difficulty seemed to be, however, in the way the movement worked. There must be unanimity before a decision, which meant that a minority had effectively got a veto.