RELATIONS between the Government and Sinn Fein have deteriorated sharply after the Taoiseach's warning that a vote for the party in the Northern elections is a vote for the IRA's campaign of violence.
Mr Bruton's intervention in the election race, coinciding with a meeting yesterday between the three Coalition leaders and an SDLP delegation led by Mr John Hume, was swiftly condemned by Sinn Fein. The party president, Mr Gerry Adams, said the Taoiseach was absolutely and totally wrong.
Mr Bruton should withdraw his remarks and "apply himself to playing a positive role in the effort to rebuild the peace process, as opposed to electorally intervening in an election in the North which his party, or he himself, have not the courage to contest".
The row erupted as prospects of another summer of bitter and violent civil disturbances intensified in the North when Co Antrim Orangemen rejected a proposed compromise on parades brokered by a mediation group and supported by the Orange hierarchy.
The decision may have widespread repercussions for the summer marching season as was hoped that a local compromise on Dunloy Orange parades would serve as a benchmark by which local accommodations could be reached on other controversial parades such as Drumcree.
Mr Bruton made it clear that, in the absence of a ceasefire, he viewed a vote for Sinn Fein as a vote for violence. But he also said the opportunity "just about still exists" for Sinn Fein to join the Northern Ireland talks when they resumed on June 3rd if the IRA called a ceasefire.
"There is still time but they [the republican movement] would want to realise that that time is running out. The ceasefire would want to come soon."
Mr Bruton said: "Currently Sinn Fein is part of a movement which also consists of another element which is the IRA, and the IRA is engaged in a campaign of violence which includes the killing of people to pursue a political objective. Political support for Sinn Fein is support for that campaign."
He added: "That's the truth, and the cause of peace is never served by failing to tell the truth or engaging in hypocrisy. It would be hypocrisy to pretend that a vote for Sinn Fein is anything but support for the IRA, because they're part of the one movement."
Mr Hume said: "So long as the IRA is committed to the armed struggle, it is a vote for violence. People in Northern Ireland are the most highly politicised people and they know what they will be voting for."
But in a statement last night Mr Adams said a vote for Sinn Fein was a vote for a political party which had taken huge risks for, peace and which was committed totally to its peace strategy. "Those members of our party and family members who have died at the hands of British and loyalist forces will be extremely saddened at Mr Bruton's remarks."
Mr Bruton, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, met the SDLP delegation as part of a series of meetings to discuss the situation in Northern Ireland. The SDLP group included its four MPs, Mr Hume, Mr Seamus Mallon, Mr Eddie McGrady and Dr Joe Hendron.