THE Tanaiste, Mr Spring, has strongly advised the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, that the British government should adopt a list system when it unveils its plans for elections in Northern Ireland next week.
During almost three hours of "informal" discussions in Dublin yesterday Mr Spring is understood to have told the Northern Secretary that the majority of the parties to whom they spoke during the proximity talks believed the North should be treated as a single constituency.
Under the list model, each party generally declares its candidates before the election but only the party name appears on the ballot paper. The parties then take their seats in proportion to the number of votes they win at the ballot box, filling seats with the named candidates.
This system is weighted in favour of minority parties and is not preferred by the Ulster Unionist Party. However, Mr Spring is believed to have impressed upon the British government that the best way of advancing the process and meeting least resistance is by way of the list system.
Following their meeting yesterday, Sir Patrick said he and the Tanaiste had a very broad discussion on what format elections might take. Proposals would be brought forward in "short order" because legislation would have to be brought before parliament "and we are determined to meet the date of June 10th".
Both politicians said "good progress" was made in their talks and restated their commitment to have all party negotiations on June 10th.
Asked what would happen if there was "no agreement from Sinn Fein", the Northern Secretary said there would be great concern if any party "turns aside from democratic negotiations".
Mr Spring said inclusive all party talks on June 10th remained the Government's priority.
"We want Sinn Fein as part of those talks. That obviously means there must be a reinstatement of the cessation of violence. I hope they can bring their influence to bear to bring that about and get on with inclusive, all party talks", he added.
Gerry Moriarty in Belfast adds: Sinn Fein ardchomhairle member Mr Martin McGuinness has described elections ahead of all party negotiations as another precondition and a "concession to unionist intransigence". An election would be a backward step and deepen distrust, suspicion and division, he said yesterday.
The elections were clearly designed to appease the unionist leadership, he added.