DISCORD between Fianna Fail and the Government over policy on Northern Ireland is set to continue as both sides prepare for exchanges in the Dail today.
Following sharp criticism of the Taoiseach and Tanaiste by the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, at Fianna Fail's Easter commemoration ceremony at Arbour Hill, spokesmen for both sides yesterday strongly criticised each other's positions.
Fianna Fail's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Ray Burke, rejected suggestions by the Democratic Left leader, Mr De Rossa, that his party, operating for "whatever curious party political reasons", had chosen to breach the bipartisan approach to the peace process.
In his address, Mr Ahern had said the British government, and to a lesser extent the Irish one, had lost the confidence of many nationalists by the mismanagement of the peace process during the 17 month IRA ceasefire. Parts of the Government in Dublin seemed more interested in "chasing after an unresponsive unionist leadership than consolidating the democratic nationalist consensus which underpinned the peace".
Mr De Rossa said yesterday it was always his judgment that Northern Ireland was not Mr Ahern's strongest point. The Fianna Fail leader had been "confused and inconsistent in his approach" and his speech at Arbour Hill demonstrated that "the most traditional elements and party opportunists have gained the upper hand".
Mr Burke furiously rejected Mr De Rossa's allegation, saying it was "an appalling charge". His party leader had emphasised that only a peaceful strategy would work and had said that the right to self determination could not be used to "ride roughshod over what is at present a unionist majority".
"The real message was to Sinn Fein and the IRA to trust their own leaders and call a ceasefire and allow peaceful progress", he added.
Northern Ireland is expected to be raised in the Dail today when Mr Bruton is pressed by Mr Ahern to say what future he envisages for the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, which has not met since the Canary Wharf bombing.
. A Canadian expert on cancer, Dr Amil Shah, has visited Paddy Kelly, the republican prisoner in Maghaberry Prison to assess his condition.
The doctor, who was accompanied by Fianna Fail's spokesman on prisoners, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, also visited the prisoner in Whitemore last October.
A statement from Fianna Fail yesterday said that the party hoped the latest visit would lead to "a comprehensive overview" of his condition and that "as a consequence it might facilitate arrangements being made for Paddy Kelly's medical and physical care".
The Government has been pressing for his transfer from Maghaberry to Portlaoise prison.