Taoiseach accused of excluding SF voters

AS the republican movement Came under increasing pressure to whelp restore the IRA ceasefire, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, accused the Taoiseach of Disenfranchising the party's supporters.

And as the various parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein, face into these last three days of "proximity talks" Mr David Trimble, who is meeting the Coalition leaders this evening, warmly welcomed Mr Bruton's ardfheis remarks directed at Sinn Fein.

The parties have until Wednesday to agree a formula for a new election leading to all party talks. As a spur to such an unlikely meeting of minds the British government has issued the parties with a consultation document on electoral models and how subsequent talks might be structured.

Mr Adams last night called on the Taoiseach to face up to the British government so that it played a full role in future political developments aimed at securing a lasting solution.

"If we are to restore the peace process - and in my view we must restore it - the Irish Taoiseach cannot act as a facilitator. The Taoiseach has to reach beyond his party political analysis and represent the interests of the Irish nation," said Mr Adams.

"And he must understand that the Irish nation extends beyond the State which he governs. He must also face up to the British government so that government understands that it has to play a full partnership role in the search for peace.

"Mr Bruton continues to disenfranchise those citizens who vote for Sinn Fain. That is not the way to make progress," Mr Adams said.

While this evening's meeting between the UUP leader and the government party leaders in Dublin is likely to be a "frank" attain comments from Mr Trimble yesterday indicated he is at least approaching the encounter with equanimity.

The Taoiseach's Fine Gael ardfheis criticisms of the republican movement earned commendation from Mr Trimble yesterday. While urging "significant change" in Dublin's approach to the peace process he said he was "absolutely delighted" by Mr Bruton's remarks.

Mr Bruton had said that he wanted Sinn Fein to be at the negotiating table, but it had to be one from which threats were banished.

He told Sky television he wanted to discuss where the talks process was going in the long term. "We want to see relations normalised. We want to see a proper healthy relationship between the United Kingdom as a whole and Northern Ireland in particular and the Irish Republic," he said.

Mr Michael Ancram, the North's political development minister, said Sinn Fein could have no place at all party negotiations starting on June 10th until the IRA ceasefire was restored.

Bilateral and multilateral meetings continue today inside and outside Castle Buildings. Mr Ancram said that after Wednesday's deadline for the end of proximity talks the British government would quickly make a decision on the form of election to be held as a precursor to all party talks.

If the parties could not agree a formula then the British government would impose one, he said. A consultation document given to the parties argues the merits and demerits of systems of election, such as proportional representation and the list system whereby people vote for parties rather than individuals.