A DATE will be settled shortly for the summit meeting between the Taoiseach and Mr John Major, the House was told by Mr Bruton.

In his formal reply to a series of questions, the Taoiseach said "I would like to express my revulsion at the latest atrocity in London, which once again has visited suffering on innocent civilians. I would again put the question to the IRA what do you hope to achieve by such actions.

"How can violence possibly make any contribution to the objective of fully inclusive all party negotiations on a settlement acceptable to all? Surely the record of 25 years has shown, beyond all doubt, that violence drives people further apart, thereby making successful and fully inclusive negotiations more, not less, difficult.

"Because of the particular sensitivities involved, I trust deputies will understand that I cannot elaborate on the two meetings that have taken place between Sinn Fein and Government officials since the Canary Wharf bombing. These were private meetings that were aimed at maintaining contact with Sinn Fein and at exploring all possibilities to reinstate the peace process in particular, to secure a restoration of the IRA ceasefire.

"I am looking forward to meeting with Senator Mitchell on Thursday. This and the many other meetings and contacts that the Government have had, and will have in the coming days, will focus, from the Government's perspective, on achieving the objective which we see as providing the best opportunity for peace and a restoration of the ceasefire namely, a specific date for all party negotiations.

"In that context, we have signalled our reservations, and those of the nationalist parties in Northern Ireland, with regard to an elective process. If it is established, however, that a limited elective process could provide the most straightforward route to a specific date for all party negotiations and to participation by all the parties, then there is an onus on us to explore if the conditions of the Mitchell report for an elective process can be met namely, that it be broadly acceptable, have an appropriate mandate and respect the three strands.

"Clearly, the position of the SDLP is critical in that regard. The Government is maintaining close contact with that party in our ongoing preparations for the forth coming summit a date for which will be settled shortly."