THE reaction of Mr Martin McGuinness to the Mitchell principles was described as "disturbing" by the Fianna Fail spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke.

Mr Burke was referring to Mr Vincent Browne's column in yesterday's Irish Times in which he quoted from his radio interview with Mr McGuinness.

Mr Browne had asked him about Sinn Fein's reaction to the principle to "agree to abide by the terms of any agreement reached in all party negotiations and to resort to democratic and exclusively peaceful methods in trying to alter any aspect of that outcome with which they may disagree". Mr McGuinness had replied it was a matter for negotiation and people should not try to back Sinn Fein into corners at this time.

Mr Burke said that in Fianna Fail's view, the six principles set out by Mr George Mitchell were not items for negotiation. "They are not to be added to with a seventh principle as the British government wants to do but, equally, they are not for negotiation, as is the view of Martin McGuinness.

He continued "I want to say to the IRA and the Irish people that it must never happen again. We cannot have a situation where the threat of violence hangs over our heads like the sword of Damocles.

All sides must go back and fulfil their commitments as made at the outset of the ceasefire.

Welcoming the conciliatory tone of the British Prime Minister in the House of Commons on Monday, he said it was regrettable that it was not heard before last Friday. "What we witnessed was progress in the peace process at a snail's pace.