THE Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, is expected to come under pressure in the Dail today to explain his attempt to influence the SDLP vote on the Scott report in the House of Commons.
Labour and Democratic Left sources yesterday declined to say how they viewed Mr Bruton's efforts to assist the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major. A Government spokesman said all confidential telephone calls between the Taoiseach and others in his pursuit of the peace process would remain private.
Mr Bruton did not comment on the matter when he returned from Thailand yesterday.
The Irish Times reported at the weekend that Mr Bruton tried to get the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, to abstain on the crucial arms to Iraq vote. The SDLP and Ulster Unionist parties voted against Mr Major's government but the abstention of the Democratic Unionist Party meant the Conservatives won the vote.
Both Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats will attempt to raise the matter today during Taoiseach's Question Time or on the Order of Business. As the story broke on Saturday, the Opposition did not have time to table questions to the Taoiseach for this afternoon.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said he would ask the Taoiseach why he became involved in a House of Commons vote. If he had, it would be quite "improper", he added.
The leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Mary Harney, said it would be entirely inappropriate if Mr Bruton had attempted to interfere in the domestic affairs of another country. If the British Labour leader, Mr Tony Blair, were to become Prime Minister, his relationship with the Taoiseach might be undermined.