RECENT intensification in IRA violence makes it difficult to believe the republican movement is not "deliberately attempting to pursue a parallel ballot box and armalite strategy", the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has said.
Replying to Dail questions yesterday, Mr Bruton said that, had the IRA called a ceasefire prior to Christmas, Sinn Fein would be at the talks table at Stormont.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern suggested that growing pessimism at the peace process and the overall situation was due to the "deplorable, irresponsible actions on the part of paramilitary organisation on all sides" the lack of leadership by many of the political parties in the talks process and that the Government appears to have given up endeavouring to break the deadlock".
Given that the loyalists ceasefire had "clearly broken down", the Progressive Democrats leader, Ms Mary Harney, asked if Mr Bruton was satisfied that the leaderships of the fringe unionist or loyalist parties were fully committed to the Mitchell Principles.
Mr Bruton said rules were laid down to govern this question but so far no complaint had been lodged against any party at the talks.