THE Progressive Democrat leader called on the Government to sever its contacts with Sinn Fein.

"We cannot be ambivalent about violence. We cannot give comfort to those who see peace and violence as interchangeable political tactics. We cannot discuss the future of Northern Ireland with those who fail to distance themselves from evil men who are prepared to turn on and off the tap of violence as they see fit," Ms Mary Harney said.

The two cars which contained the bombs which exploded at the Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn had been stolen four months ago. The London garage where police discovered explosives and bomb making equipment recently had been bought for the IRA two weeks after the ceasefire declaration in August, 1994. The IRA had continued to operate as its political associates in Sinn Fein had preached peace.

"It convinces me of something I have believed all along, that the IRA and Sinn Fein are one and the same organisation . . . There is every reason to believe that some [IRA] members have been masquerading as peace makers in Sinn Fein."

The Taoiseach's comments in Washington on the prospects for a renewed ceasefire had been dismissed by the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams. "He wondered aloud about the source of the Taoiseach's upbeat assessment. In other words, he knew otherwise. Yet, in the wake of the Lisburn bombs, questions asked of Sinn Fein members about the possible motives for that IRA attack prompted that all too familiar response - `we are not the IRA and you will have to address your question to them about their motives'".

If a political settlement was to be achieved it would come from the political middle ground. The SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party represented the majority.

A meeting must take place as soon as possible between the tour main players in the process. The Government must persuade the SDLP and the British government, the Ulster Unionists, to sit down together.

It was important that the Government spoke with one voice on the central issues. If Dublin was perceived as "speaking with a forked tongue", the chances of building trust were correspondingly reduced.

She outlined the elements which the PDs believed a political settlement in Northern Ireland should contain a new political order in Northern Ireland where there was equality of esteem for both communities a written constitution, including a Bill of Rights and democratic institutions; acceptance of the principle that the external constitutional status of Northern Ireland must be decided by a majority of its people; the maximum degree of self government in Northern Ireland; policing structures that would have cross community support; a North South dimension in areas of mutual interest.

Ms Harney concluded: "We cannot give up. We must do everything in our power to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland can move into the 21st century with hope and the promise of a permanent peace."