Bruton says Major did not mislead Government

A CLAIM by the Fianna Fail leader that Mr John Major had misled the Government on the speaking arrangements in the Commons on the Mitchell report provoked a sharp response from the Taoiseach.

Mr Bruton said Mr Major had told him in advance it was his intention that the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, would 5p on behalf of his government.

Mr Bertie Ahern said Mr Major had not alone misled the Government on "a lot of other matters" but also on the person to speak in response to the Mitchell report.

The Taoiseach intervened to stress that he was not saying anything of that kind. "What I am saying is that I was told by the Prime Minister that that was the intention. He is perfectly entitled to change his arrangements as to who speaks on behalf of his government in his house of parliament."

Earlier, Mr Ahern asked why the Taoiseach had not remained in the Dail last Wednesday to put forward the Government's response to what Mr Major had to say on the report

Mr Bruton said that when he spoke to the Prime Minister the previous evening it was the intention that the debate would be taken by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, on the Irish side, and by Sir Patrick Mayhew on the British side.

The British decided to change the process on its side, he said. "I do not think there is any requirement on us to imitate any arrangement they might choose to make in this regard, particularly in view of the fact that the Tanaiste is handling the operational aspects of the twin track series of discussions."

On his attendance at the Council of Europe last Wednesday he said the time and date had been fixed well in advance.

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, asked if it was his under a standing that before Mr Major spoke in the Commons, either the Secretary of State or his Under Secretary would contact the Tanaiste or a member of the Irish Government.

"That was my understanding based on what was specifically said to me," Mr Bruton replied.

He said the Government was working towards the objective of all party talks by the end of February and he remained optimistic that the target date could be met.