THE Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, is to look at the legal implications of the decommissioning requirements of the Mitchell report, the Tanaiste said.

Mr Spring added the legislation necessary for decommissioning was one of the many items discussed at Monday's meeting between the Government and the Ulster Unionist Party.

He was replying to the Fianna Fail deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, who had asked what legislation was being considered on arms decommissioning, bearing in mind there was a heavy emphasis on the matter following Monday's meeting.

Asked by Ms O'Rourke if he was in agreement with the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, that it seemed to be the only item discussed, Mr Spring said many of the issues considered were confidential. It had been made very clear the discussion was wide ranging and included preparations for decommissioning. The Attorney General was there as legal adviser to the Government.

Replying to the Fianna Fail spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke, the Tanaiste said he hoped to meet the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, tomorrow to review what had happened in recent discussions between the governments and the various parties.

Earlier, Mr Spring was criticised by Fianna Fail for not taking a question on Monday's meeting in the absence of the Taoiseach.

The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Gay Mitchell, deputised for Mr Bruton, who was on his way to Egypt. Ms O'Rourke said Mr Mitchell had not been at the meeting. Mr Spring, who was in the Chamber, was silent, she added. Mr Mitchell said the Taoiseach had offered to have the question postponed, but Ms O'Rourke insisted it be taken. She denied she had insisted that the question be taken.