THE Taoiseach rejected opposition criticism of his recent remarks in Washington about another possible IRA ceasefire.

He was challenged by the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, to outline the "solid grounds" on which he had based his assertion that a ceasefire and an agreement were inevitable in the short term.

"I have said, and I say it again now, that I believe the logic of the peace process adopted some time ago by the republican movement required that there would be a ceasefire", Mr Bruton said.

He drew the House's attention to remarks made by Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein, who had said that real negotiations could only take place in the absence of violence.

During an hour-long Question Time on the North, the Taoiseach stressed that he had not used the words "optimism" or "optimistic" about the prospects for an IRA ceasefire. The strongest word he had used was "hope".

Mr Ahern suggested that the Taoiseach would have been far better employed explaining to the world the gravity of the situation, rather than spreading fatuous optimism around the world. Mr Bruton repeated that he had not used the words "optimism" or "optimistic".

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, asked if he accepted that the discovery of bombs and explosives in London made a mockery of what he said in the US, adding that, far from contemplating a ceasefire, the IRA was determined to continue with its campaign of murder and terror.

Mr Bruton said it was fortunate that the bombs did not reach their target. The fact that the IRA was at such an advanced stage in delivering those bombs to their targets did undermine the efforts of all who were seeking a ceasefire. "But I would also say that the basis on which the Government has continued to keep open the channels of communication at official level to Sinn Fein is that we believe there are people within Sinn Fein who are seeking a complete ceasefire that will hold in all circumstances", he added.

He said that if he did not believe there were grounds for hope for an IRA ceasefire, there would be no grounds whatever for keeping open the channels of communication with Sinn Fein.

Ms Harney suggested that it was "wrong and dangerous" to talk up the possibility of a ceasefire when he had clearly no grounds for doing so.

Insisting that there were grounds for an IRA ceasefire, Mr Bruton said the republican movement's demand for all-party talks had been met. The talks were substantive, as had also been demanded, and decommissioning was not a roadblock. "So in terms of their own demands there are grounds for an IRA ceasefire now."

He said that Ms Harney and Mr Ahern would have him go to the US and say there was no hope of a ceasefire. "What effect would that have on US opinion?" asked Mr Bruton, adding that the US would turn its back and say there was no point in investing the talents of serious people like Senator George Mitchell in a peace process that had no hope.

"All I said was that there was hope. If I had said the opposite, as it would appear Deputy Harney and Deputy Ahern would wish me to say, I would have been doing no service to this country or to its future"

The Taoiseach said he believed that those pursuing the peace strategy within Sinn Fein were genuine. "I hope they prevail. I believe they will prevail."'

Pressed further, Mr Bruton said he would not want anybody to have the view that a mere tactical ceasefire would suffice. He knew that the leadership of the republican movement was not pursuing the concept of a tactical ceasefire. "They want a ceasefire that will hold in all circumstances."