THE Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are to have further discussions about the Northern talks and the renewed threats of paramilitary violence later this week. They initiated the discussions in a 45-minute encounter in Florence on Saturday.
The two men discussed the talks, the recent arms finds, British-Irish economic relations and the priorities for the Irish EU Presidency.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, attended part of the discussion. Mr Bruton and Mr Major will," talk by telephone this week.
The Taoiseach said it was "a very worrying development" that the IRA was found to be preparing mortars last week. He maintained this was inconsistent with Sinn Fein's stated acceptance of the Mitchell Principles of non-violence.
"If Sinn Fein accepts that you don't use or threaten force, then what's the point in manufacturing mortars - it's hardly just for the practice?" he said.
"Events in recent days - the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe, the bombing of Manchester and the manufacture of mortars - raise questions that need to be answered regardless of whether there is a ceasefire or not."