THE Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, has called on the Government to reopen official discussions with Sinn Fein in the wake of Mr Tony Blair's announcement that he would allow his officials to meet that party.
However the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, repeated the Government position that there will not be "routine contact" with Sinn Fein. But he added that "a meeting may be organised with officials to discuss matters that might lead to an imminent ceasefire.
Mr Ahern maintained the Government was now "lagging behind the British government in this regard and they have shown a serious lack of initiative in the face of the new opportunities for peace."
He welcomed Mr Blair's announcement "that the British Government is willing to reopen official discussions with Sinn Fein", and said he had called on both governments to do this last Wednesday.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, said the British position on officials meeting Sinn Fein was similar to that of the Irish Government.
He pointed out that Government officials continued meeting Sinn Fein after the Canary Wharf explosion, and only stopped "when the IRA went into a hospital attempting to assassinate a public representative visiting his sick son.
Mr Bruton quoted Mr Blair's speech approvingly. "As he said, the settlement train is leaving, and `we want everyone on the train'. But, as the prime minister said, and I agree, the train is leaving anyway.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said Mr Blair's speech underlined the extent of the opportunity that now exists to create an inclusive political process leading to the negotiation of a lasting settlement.
"It is clear that a precious opportunity for political progress now exists," he said. "It is imperative that this not be allowed to wither. There is a compelling need for an early end to violence which, and Mr Blair confirms, will elicit a timely response from government."
A Progressive Democrats spokesman said last night that what Mr Blair had said was "reasonable."
Joe Carroll adds from Washington:
Mr Blair's speech was welcomed last night by President Bill Clinton, who described it as "a balanced and constructive step toward restoring momentum to the peace process".
His words "offer hope and reassurance to the people of both of the Northern Ireland traditions," the President said in a statement, adding: "I urge Sinn Fein to take up this offer and I pray it will bring about an end to the violence for good."
The British initiative will be discussed at the White House next week during visits by the Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam.