IF Sinn Fein and the IRA are willing to bring about a ceasefire, everything should be done do ensure that it happens, the Tanaiste said yesterday.
Speaking to journalists in Dublin, Mr Spring described as "significant and important" Thursday's speech in Tralee by Sinn Fein's Mr Martin McGuinness, in which he outlined what he said were the steps necessary to secure another ceasefire.
According to the Tanaiste, the question of decommissioning had always been difficult but efforts had been made over many months to advance the peace process. He warned that the fears of unionists should not be underestimated and pointed out that he had no information that a ceasefire was on the way.
Meanwhile, following almost two, hours of talks with the Taoiseach, the leader of the Alliance Party, Lord Alderdice, said the idea of a "de facto" ceasefire was something made up in journalists' minds". The concept did not mean anything.
Questioned about yesterday's report in The Irish Times that the main unionist parties had significantly toughened their demands on decommissioning, Lord Alderdice said that trust had been diminished and "you have people being frightened about deals being done behind people's backs".
The republican movement had a "credibility problem" but, if one attempted to state what was required to enable Sinn Fein access to the talks, one would be accused of "putting down an obstacle" and creating preconditions. The onus was on republicans to be serious about "an honourable compromise", he added.
The Tanaiste will lead a Government delegation to Stormont tomorrow for an Anglo Irish Conference meeting with the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew. The two sides will review the situation, particularly in the light of the initiative to restore the ceasefire.
Mr Spring will be accompanied by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, and the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, who has his first formal meeting at this level with the new RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan.