THE Government still has knot ruled out meetings be"tween its officials and Sinn Fein, although the discovery of a large quantity of arms and explosives in Co Laois has strained relations almost to breaking point.
"We've done everything we can," said one senior Government figure. "It's now down to Sinn Fein."
Government spokesmen said a Sinn Fein request for a meeting would "probably" be granted, but there would need to be "substantive" reasons for such a meeting.
Sources close to republican thinking insist a ceasefire is still possible. However, there is growing pessimism in both Government and Opposition circles in Dublin that Sinn Fein can "deliver" the IRA. Senior Fianna Fail sources said there was only "a slight glimmer at the end of the tunnel".
Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein said yesterday it would be "an unforgiveable act of moral cowardice" for any government or political party to "walk away" from attempts to restore the peace process.
He strongly criticised the British government for cutting off all contacts with republicans since the ending of the IRA ceasefire.
"How can we have any hope of restoring a real and meaningful peace process if one of the most important parties, and I would say the most important party in this equation, refuses to talk?" Mr McGuinness asked.
Senior Coalition sources said it was "deeply disturbing" that the bunker in Laois had contained mortars of the type that have been used in Northern Ireland.
Nevertheless contact had not formally been broken off. "It's becoming more and more difficult," Coalition sources said. There was a feeling in Government circles that Sinn Fein "have let us down" and that the party's utterances were simply not credible.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, is said to be particularly disappointed at the continuation of IRA activities. Sources close to him pointed out that he had put an enormous effort into securing the nomination of Mr George Mitchell to chair the multi party talks.
"Sinn Fein people are still saying, `Give us time - don't close the door.' We are trying not to close the door: we are trying to keep it at least a little ajar." But the actions of the IRA were "putting immense pressure on the Government," Coalition sources said.
The Government wanted to know what Sinn Fein was doing to bring an end to violent acts such as the Manchester bombing and the killing of Det Garda Jerry McCabe. "All the signs are that they are not doing much," Coalition sources said.
There was no intention on the Government's part to "walk away", but it could not allow the IRA to dictate events in this State and elsewhere.
Government sources said there were indications that a debate was taking place in the republican movement: "It seems to be going just one way at the moment."
Sources close to republican thinking said the Government should "hold its nerve." Northern sources said the IRA was still concerned about a lack of clarity on the British government's part over decommissioning.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, met for 45 minutes at the EU summit on Saturday. They are to have further discussions about the Northern talks and the renewed threats of paramilitary violence later this week. Mr Spring attended part of Saturday's meeting. Mr Bruton and Mr Major will be in contact by telephone this week.
The multi party talks resume at Stormont's Castle Buildings this morning. The former prime minister of Finland, Mr Harri Holkeri, will deputise for Mr Mitchell in today's discussions, on procedural issues.