IN spite of the proposed involvement of the Government in a coordination committee to oversee progress in all party negotiations, the Tanaiste has sought to reassure unionists by insisting that Dublin will have no role in Strand One talks on the internal relationships in Northern Ireland.
Government sources last night indicated that Dublin sought only to have "an information facility" on the Strand One negotiations to ensure it was abreast of developments.
Mr Spring yesterday told RTE's This Week that unionist opposition to the consultation paper on the ground rules for substantive all party talks was "way over the mark, over the top". He expressed the hope that people would examine the document and see that it was part of an overall package.
It is one that all parties can work with," he added. It was "obvious" that while negotiations were ongoing, the Government would need to be part of a coordinating committee working "on a day to day basis" to ensure the agenda was being covered.
As the Government awaits proposals from the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, on the model for elections in the North Mr Spring emphasised that whatever system is adopted must enjoy cross community support. The British government is to consult Dublin before the official announcement is made on the election process.
"It would be a breakthrough in Northern Ireland if we got some system that would be supported by a section of the unionist population and the nationalist population. I would be very fearful of bringing out a system that has only the support of people on one side of the divide," Mr Spring said.
The two governments were attempting, in the consultation paper, to provide reassurances to the two communities. Unionists needed to be reassured about the decommissioning of weapons, while nationalists needed reassurance that "the whole agenda of relationships will he discussed".
Asked about the "confusion" surrounding the precise status of the Mitchell principles, Mr Spring said decommissioning would be addressed as a priority or a first item in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party backbencher, Mr Andrew Hunter, said unionist reaction to the paper had been "a little over the top". He stressed this was a consultation paper - "not making any firm declaration or forcing anybody". He was somewhat surprised to see Dublin's involvement in the co ordinating committee to cover all three strands of talks but "let it be discussed".
While it would not appeal to unionists, they must address the question, since "there has to be give and take on all sides". The British government still had "an open mind" on the form that elections will take, he added. While his own preference was for the multi constituency model favoured by the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr Hunter said he did not feel "that strongly" about the issue.