CARDINAL Cahal Daly last night called on the British government to "seriously consider", even in the politically difficult pre-election period, engaging Sinn Fein in some kind of communication.
Condemning the IRA's return to violence and the shooting dead of the young soldier in Bessbrook, Co Armagh, on Wednesday, Cardinal Daly also urged the Irish Government to take urgent steps to bring about peace.
Following his address to the Irish Association in Dublin, he asked the attendance to join in a minute's silence in remembrance of the young soldier.
He said the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, in spite of the political difficulties and risks, should undertake such an initiative.
He added that Sinn Fein and the IRA should reflect and realise the harm and hurt, the grief and heartbreak, the fear and loathing which their campaign had inflicted and continued to inflict upon the unionist community. The greatest contribution the republican movement could make was to reinstate the ceasefire and also put an end to the so-called "punishment beatings".
The British government, on the other hand, he said, should act on a number of prisoners' issues. He said the case of Ms Roisin McAliskey should be treated with compassion and sensitivity, bearing in mind her condition.
He said the loyalist ceasefire had been a credit to its leadership. "Indeed, the political leadership of the so-called fringe loyalist parties has shown a political maturity which surprised many and which is a good augury for the future in Northern Irelandz."