Spring says any election process must lead to talks

THE Tanaiste joined the Taoiseach in expressing his disappointment at the response of the British government to the Mitchell report. "The stress placed by the British government on the report's very conditional and qualified reference to an elective process has distracted attention from the central thrust of its recommendations on finding a way out of the present impasse on decommissioning," he said.

In reply to opposition TDs, Mr Spring said that an elective process could only be considered to have a possible role if it met the criteria of the Mitchell report: that it be broadly acceptable, with an appropriate mandate and within the three stranded structure.

"It would be absolutely essential that the mandate of an elective process involve an immediate move into all party negotiations without further preconditions. I am not aware of any proposal so far which would meet the criteria set out by the International Body."