`Inept' Coalition blamed for failure of peace process

THE Government's handling of the peace process came in for sharp criticism during the debate on Northern Ireland. The party's spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke, said that in opposition Fianna Fail had supported, although not uncritically, the Government's attempts to maintain it.

"The tragedy is that the Government has been so inept in its handling of the issue that the opportunity which was presented by an 18-month ceasefire has been lost."

Mr Sean Carroll, Trinity College, said the lethal cocktail of Mr John Bruton's "dithering and posturing" and Mr Dick Spring's "legendary arrogance" hag allowed the British Prime Minister to play party politics with the lives of people in Ireland. "The failure of these men is despicable and led to the collapse of the ceasefire."

Mr Frank O'Neill, Clones, accused the Tanaiste of being responsible for the break-up of the Fianna Fail-Labour government, declaring: "I know Albert Reynolds. Albert Reynolds is a friend of mine. Dick Spring, you are no Albert Reynolds."

The IRA ceasefire should never have been broken, he added. "I would say to John Major, if you want to get out of hell, you must negotiate with the devil".

On neutrality, Mr Burke said Fianna Fail's policy was not one of splendid isolation.

"Fianna Fail is committed to contributing actively to the development of collective security under the auspices of international organisations such as the United Nations and the Organisation for Security Co-operation in Europe.

"Fianna Fail further endorses the principle that Irish troops should be made available to the EU, but on a case-by-case basis only, for peacekeeping, humanitarian and emergency relief missions under a common foreign and security policy."

He said the party fundamentally rejected moves to edge Ireland closer to membership of NATO, WEU or any defence alliance committed to the continued use of nuclear weapons.