DIPLOMATIC efforts to reinstate the IRA ceasefire have been intensified amid rising expectations of an early Anglo Irish summit.
Following a two hour review of the crumbling peace process with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton and Government officials, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, yesterday confirmed that both governments were working "to fix a date" for a summit. Arrangements could be in place "within a few days ... sooner rather than later", he said.
Government officials and the Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams and vice president, Mr Pat Doherty, met again last night the second such encounter since the IRA ended its ceasefire 10 days ago. But neither side would even confirm the meeting had taken place.
As the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, remained in continuing contact yesterday, the Anglo Irish liaison group of senior civil servants prepared to reconvene today or tomorrow to pave the way for a summit in London.
A Government spokesman said each successive explosion was making attempts to revive the peace process more difficult.
However, both the Tanaiste and the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, contradicted the view of the Sinn Fein president that the process was effectively over.
Mr Adams called for calm and a rebuilding of the peace process, adding in relation to the latest incident that "if the IRA was involved, it bears responsibility for that and its consequences
Admitting that the peace process was "in very severe difficulties" Mr Spring told journalists that we want to avoid an air of desperation".
The priority for the Government now was to see a reinstatement of the IRA ceasefire and to continue working towards all party talks, he said.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, was also considering a review of security as reports of a possible loyalist attack in the Republic continued to circulate, he added.
Condemning Sunday night's blast in London, Mr Spring said that Government policy towards Sinn Fein had not changed and that officials would continue to meet the party's representatives.
He confirmed that he has replied positively to an invitation to talks from the Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble, saying it might now be "more important than ever".
Government sources have ruled out suggestions by Mr Trimble that he meet the Tanaiste on the fringes of the next Anglo Irish summit.
Meanwhile, a Government spokesman confirmed that US Senator George Mitchell would meet the Taoiseach and Tanaiste in Dublin on Thursday when he will be stopping over for a day after visiting London for talks with Mr Major.
He is coming to see the two Government leaders on the basis of an undertaking he gave when his report was published last month that he would return to explore the process further.
Yesterday, Mr Spring said Senator Mitchell "may have a very important role to play".