DESPITE reiteration by the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, that he will not speak to the Tanaiste on "internal matters" relating to Northern Ireland, Mr Spring has insisted that Dublin will have to be involved in negotiations.
Asked last night if Mr Major could "persuade" the Ulster Unionists to the negotiating table, Mr Spring said that, irrespective of whether he had the ability to convince them, or wanted to, talks would have to take place "within the three stranded process. That, of course, involves the Irish Government and it is essential that those talks take place sooner rather than later," the Tanaiste added.
Following more than an hour of discussion with the Sinn Fein leadership at Government Buildings, he also said that it remained the firm aim of the governments to hold all party talks by the end of the month. He hoped he would not become embroiled in "a vicious circle" with the Ulster Unionist leadership, adding that the Government was open to talks "at any time or any place".
Everyone knew the only way forward was through dialogue. "We have to be optimistic but it takes two to tango and we have to get together and have discussions," he added.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, said it was no surprise that Mr Trimble was behaving in this way because he had "no incentive" to move forward while the British government maintained a negative stance. The onus was on the British Prime Minister and he had to honour the commitment he gave to the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, to hold talks by the end of February.
Asked if he had "warmed at all" to the idea of elections, Mr Adams said elections in the North were in no way related to democracy. Sinn Fein was maintaining there should be no preconditions to talks.
"There is no reason at all why there cannot be all party talks before the end of February - none whatsoever. What has stopped all party talks occurring has been the British government's refusal to join with the Irish Government in calling them. It is a matter of political will," he said.
The unionists were not "holding firm" in their refusal to enter all party talks, Mr Adams added. They were merely doing nothing because they had no reason at all to move while Mr Major adopted their position in the pursuit of "buying votes".
"We are encouraged that the Government is committed to getting the British Prime Minister to honour his commitment," he said.
Asked how long he was prepared to wait for all party talks, he said the question of time was irrelevant. Sinn Fein was committed to a democratic settlement.