THE TAOISEACH said last night he was "very heartened" by Mr Tony Blair's "vigorous" approach to Northern Ireland and predicted that there would now be a "major change and improvement in Anglo Irish relations.
Following an hour long meeting with Britain's new Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, Mr Bruton said the fact that he was the first foreign leader to meet Mr Blair since he took office last week illustrated the importance of Northern Ireland on the British government's agenda.
"He understands the urgency of dealing with these matters in a way that will bring about a ceasefire," he said. "However, the republican movement should recognise their responsibility in this matter too. They obviously have to make the decision in the first place whether they wish to abandon the option of violence and come into the political process. The rules are there.
Mr Bruton, who was accompanied by the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, described his talks with Mr Blair and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, as "very good", but said no time scale had been agreed for when Sinn Fein could enter the talks if the IRA declared a ceasefire.
"What I am hoping is that he will be able to give further encouragement in the weeks to come to all those concerned to make the decisions necessary to ensure that everybody is sitting round the table," he said.
Although Mr Bruton conceded it was still a hypothetical "possibility" that Sinn Fein could be at the talks when they resume on June 3rd, Dr Mowlam said she doubted whether this could now be possible because of the short timescale and the necessary "quality" of the ceasefire.
"It is very difficult to say what counts is the quality of the ceasefire," she said. "Sinn Fein and the IRA know exactly what they need to do; the ball is in their court. What matters is that the commitment is of a deeper nature."
Speaking outside No to, Dr Mowlam described the meeting as "informative, constructive and very useful", and said it "would put us in good stead" for the future. "It reinforced a number of basic agreements about consent, about the need for Sinn Fein to be in the talks, but for that to happen there has to be a ceasefire, and there has to be a greater commitment in words and deeds to that ceasefire."
Dr Mowlam said she remained optimistic that there would not be another Drumcree stand off this summer because the marchers knew the British government would uphold the principle of law. The 21 day rule for notifying the authorities of marches and alcohol ban laws will be introduced today, and she said she was "looking forward" to implementing the legislation on the North Commission's report into parades.
Later, at a press conference at the Irish Embassy, Mr Spring was asked to describe the differences between Dr Mowlam and her predecessor, Sir Patrick Mayhew. Mr Spring praised Dr Mowlam's "insight" into the problems and predicted she would bring "new energy" into resolving them.
Mr Bruton said he had discussed 20 to 30 issues with Mr Blair, including education and Europe. With regard to Northern Ireland, Mr Bruton stressed that he felt Mr Blair's substantial majority and commitment to constitutional reform in Scotland and Wales meant he had "a freer hand than his predecessor to initiate change".
"I believe that he is someone who intends to be decisive on a whole range of government issues. Not only does his majority and mandate give him that room but also his interest in constitutional reform generally gives him an openness into new ideas," he added.
The Government also won an assurance from the British government that it would support the candidacy of President Robinson for the position of UN Human Rights Commissioner.
Although Mr Spring has already received the support of EU Foreign Ministers for Mrs Robinson, the specific endorsement is of particular importance because of Britain's membership of the UN Security Council.