THE Taoiseach has accused Mr Bertie Ahern of appealing to "the worst partisan political sentiments" in his attack on the Government's Northern Policy. The Tanaiste responded to Mr Ahern by pointing out that the Government had achieved a fixed date for all party talks, which the last Fianna Fail led administration failed to deliver.
The bipartisan approach of the Dail parties on Northern Ireland has come under strain as a result of the sharp criticism of Mr Bruton and Mr Spring by the Fianna Fail leader, speaking at his party's Arbour Hill ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Senior Fianna Fail sources said Mr Ahern was responding to a widespread view throughout his party and the population infernal that the Government, and Mr Bruton in particular, had seriously mismanaged the peace process.
In his speech, the Fianna Fail leader attributed part of the blame for the breakdown of the IRA ceasefire to the Taoiseach and others in the Government who "seemed to be more interested in chasing after an unresponsive unionist leadership than consolidating the democratic nationalist consensus which under pinned the peace".
The Taoiseach's refusal of a joint meeting with Mr John Hume and Mr Gerry Adams last October had been "a serious mistake". The Government showed "a lack of political courage" in breaking off contact with Sinn Fein at ministerial level after the Canary Wharf bombing.
Mr Ahern also criticised the suspension of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation "at a time when it was most needed".
He accused the Tanaiste of "changing the management of the Irish peace process at a critical moment" when he broke with the last government, led by Mr Albert Reynolds.
"When nurturing a fragile confidence was so important, was it really the best moment to substitute a warm admirer of John Redmond for the leader of Fianna Fail, the mainstream republican movement in this country?" he asked.
The Taoiseach responded that Mr Ahern had shown "very poor judgment" at a time "when balance and generosity is what we need in all comment on Northern Ireland".
Mr Bruton pointed out that for the first time ever there a fixed date for all party negotiations. The IRA should not be provided with "elaborate historical excuses or misguided alibis" for continuing its campaign.
He said "short term party politics" must not get in the way of peace. All responsible political leaders should do all in theirs power to ensure that this opportunity for peace is not squandered by short term appeals to the worst partisan political sentiments."
Mr Ahern's comments drew a stinging rebuke from Mr Spring. On RTE Radio's This Week he described the Arbour Hill speech as "very mischievous".
He added that, during 10 days of discussions after the collapse of the last government, at no stage had Mr Ahern expressed concern that Mr Reynolds would no longer, have a leading role in the peace process.
Echoing Mr Ahern's sentiments the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, said the Government needed to "restore confidence". The rebuilding of the peace process required "definite assurances" from both governments.
. Mr Reynolds told The Irish Times last night that the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell should be appointed chairman of the all party talks set for June 10th with his colleagues, Gen John de Chastelain and Mr Harri Holkeri, as observers. The trio could also supervise the decommissioning of weapons.
. At the G7 summit in Moscow, President Clinton called for a renewed IRA ceasefire, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, warned there was no sign of an imminent cessation of violence.