SIR Patrick Mayhew the Northern Ireland Secretary, launched a searing counter attack on the Taoiseach late last night.
Speaking on BBC radio and television, Sir Patrick described Mr Bruton's remarks as a "most extraordinary outburst".
Sir Patrick said the Taoiseach had "ducked" the crucial issue which had confronted the Chief Constable of the RUC of saving lives in the escalating crisis of Drumcree. And he accused the Irish Government of "double standards" in their attitude to the original decision of the chief constable, reversed on Thursday.
He said that when Sir Hugh took the original decision to reroute the Orange march in order to avoid the risk of public disturbance he had not heard complaints from the Irish Government or the SDLP about an RUC capitulation in face of the threat of violence.
Sir Patrick said the chief constable had maintained that there had been no government interference in operational decisions taken by the RUC. "That is true. But he's apparently not believed by Mr Bruton."
Sir Patrick continued. We have a responsibility here as a government in northern Ireland. Under our constitutional arrangements operational decisions are taken by the chief constable."
Sir Patrick said Mr Bruton's criticisms were extraordinary, unhelpful and most unfair".