AN IMMEDIATE general election to facilitate developments in Northern Ireland was called for by the Fianna Fail spokesman on foreign affairs.

Mr Ray Burke said people in the Republic should have decided on the composition of the next government by the time the multiparty talks resume on June 3rd. "If the election was out of the way, as in the UK, the talks could commence with clear direction."

The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said the election date had not been fixed - it was the constitutional prerogative of the Taoiseach - and he strongly believed there would be a serious resumption of the talks. "It is our intention to be there at the table."

On several occasions, said the Tanaiste, the Government had made clear its disappointment at the slow pace of progress, and it would be looking to ensure that, following their resumption, the negotiations were pursued with a keener sense of purpose.

"It is essential that the work of the opening plenary is completed quickly, and that we move on to substantive negotiations in the three strands. It remains our view that the decommissioning issue, which remains the chief obstacle in the way of this objective, can only be resolved on the basis of the implementation of the report of the international body in all its aspects."

Mr Spring said it was vital that, after the British general election, all parties with a serious interest in peace and reconciliation, whatever their differing views on constitutional or other matters, rededicate themselves to working with each other and with the two governments to make the negotiations succeed.

The Government, he added, wanted Sinn Fein to take its place as equal participants at the negotiations, but this could not happen until there was a complete and unequivocal restoration of the IRA ceasefire.

"Moreover, the longer it takes until there is a such a restoration, the harder it will be for the republican movement to convince even people of goodwill of its credibility and durability. Violent or disruptive actions by the IRA, whether in Northern Ireland or in Britain, are totally counterproductive and reprehensible.

"They serve only to add further gratuitous obstacles in the way of Sinn Fein being able to present the views of its supporters at the negotiating table. Furthermore, we will not allow the self imposed absence of any party to stand in the way of the energetic pursuit of the fullest measure of progress achievable in dialogue between the governments and the parties at the table."

Asked by the PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, about the parades issues in the North, Mr Spring said that the delay in granting the commission power to make determinations on contentious parade routes, the core recommendation of the North report, had been disappointing to those, including the Government, who supported the implementation of the North recommendations in full.