THE Taoiseach denied he was singling out Mr Gerry Adams for criticism in his public exchanges with Northern political leaders.

He was replying to the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, who said many people felt it was undignified for Mr Bruton to be engaging in constant exchanges with the Sinn Fein leader. "You do not seem to have the same gusto when getting involved with the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (Mr David Trimble) who has said far stronger things against you."

He asked if it was the Taoiseach's policy to react to Mr Adams's remarks and ignore what was said by others.

The Taoiseach said Mr Ahern would recollect that he had very firmly answered Mr Trimble when he made some comments about "this jurisdiction", which he regarded as unfair to himself and his predecessor, and the people and security forces of the State.

Equally, if other parties failed to see the opportunity that existed in a date being set for all party talks, he would make that point, too.

On the all party talks, he told the PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, that it should be recognised that the opportunity presented might not be readily available again. All participants should take decisions, bearing in mind that it was an unprecedented opportunity for peace. "Never before has a fixed date for all party talks, without precondition for prior decommissioning of arms, been available. Never before in our history."

He said it was his firm intention to ensure that there would be no logjam in the talks over one issue, irrespective of how important it might be.

Mr Ahern said the Taoiseach should suggest to the unionist leadership that it would be unreasonable to expect nationalists to fully participate in the Northern Ireland forum while they refused to participate in the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and the British Irish parliamentary body.

Mr Bruton said it would not be wise to draw such parallels.