DEPUTIES called for a greater sense of urgency in talks on Northern Ireland. They also asked that the prisoners issue be actively pursued during debate on Wednesday's communique following the summit between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister.

Mr Austin Deasy (FG, Waterford) said the IRA should respond to the "swell of relief" that emerged with the announcement of a date for talks. He could not understand why there had been a worsening of conditions for Irish prisoners following the last cease fire. It smacked of vindictiveness. The Government should seek to have it investigated, if necessary by the human rights committee of, the Council of Europe.

Ms Mary Flaherty (FG, Dublin North West) said a sense of urgency which was lacking following the ceasefire 18 months ago should now be shown in dealing with the substantive issues. Repudiation of violence alone would not lead to peace.

The treatment of Irish prisoners in British jails had undermined the peace process. Were the British trying to humiliate or defeat people on the other side or was there a lack of sincerity in their efforts? If there was to be progress now the UK authorities must move very quickly on the prisoners issue.

Mr Dermot Ahern (FF, Louth) also urged action on the prisoner issue. There had been an attempt by the British to "divide and conquer" the nationalist side in recent months and clandestine efforts were even made to divide the leaders of the Government parties. There was nothing coming from the unionist side except a demand for the status quo.

Mr Michael Ring (FG, Mayo West) said the people would react very strongly against the IRA if there was any more violence "in the name of Ireland". The people wanted no more bombs.

Dr Rory O'Hanlon (FF, Cavan-Monaghan) said the IRA should immediately announce a ceasefire and enable the Government here to release the prisoners who had their bags packed and were ready to leave when the London bomb went off.

Mr Martin Cullen (FF, Waterford) said the EU should take more interest and play a more active part than it did during the last ceasefire.

Mr Eamon O Cuiv (FF, Galway West) said Irish prisoners in British jails were being badly treated and Dail deputies who had taken an interest were not listened to. He had visited four prisons and found "bitterness and resentment among the prisoners at the way they and their families are being treated. There is a deep, underlying mistrust."

Mr John Browne (FG, Carlow-Kilkenny) said the impression was being created that the cause of all our troubles was the non release of prisoners. If the IRA wanted to help the prisoners it should not commit atrocities like the Canary Wharf or the London bus bombing.

Mr Seymour Crawford (FG, Cavan-Monaghan) said if Sinn Fein wanted to take part in the talks it had a choice it could give up its support for violence.

Mr Joe Jacob (FF, Wicklow) said people were frustrated by procrastination, particularly by the British, following the last ceasefire. The prisoners were "hugely important" to the process and should not have been treated in the way they were.

Ms Liz McManus, Minister of State, said setting a date for substantive negotiations was not a sign of weakness. It was evidence of the resolute determination by both governments to meet the objective of a negotiated settlement in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein must act as a persuader.

Mr Seamus Brennan (FF) said he was glad the Taoiseach had taken charge, firmed up his policy and was determined to run the process. "We cannot afford to create the image that Dublin is not clear on where it stands. He must not allow a gap to open between the two governments which was a major factor in the delays of the last few months."

Mr Des O'Malley, PD spokesman on foreign affairs, said while the two participants might deny it the summit and communique appeared to have happened "under a mushroom cloud of Semtex explosives". That was unsatisfactory and made it all the more important that the determination not to admit Sinn Fein to all party talks without a ceasefire must be upheld.

Mr Brian Fitzgerald (Lab, Meath) said the adage that "peace threatens no one" was true. All sides to the conflict had an interest in seeing its end.