THE Tanaiste has warned that if restraint and leadership are not shown in the days ahead, the crisis caused by the stand off at Drumcree could lead to "a possible returning to Northern Ireland at its worst".
Speaking yesterday in Dublin before he left for a tour of Bosnia and other Balkan states, Mr Spring said there were no moves by the British and Irish governments at present to meet to discuss the crisis.
"My request is the same as that made by the British government and by the chief of police in Northern Ireland a call for restraint a recognition that if people proceed down this line certainly the future is very bleak", he said.
"We were, a short time ago, quite optimistic about the opening of discussion and negotiations. We have seen a possible returning to Northern Ireland at its worst in the last number of days.
"Coming up to July 12th I think it will be very important that leadership is shown, restraint is shown and that we avoid plunging back into the abyss.
"I think it behoves leadership on all sides to ensure that nothing is said, nothing is done to create any further difficulties. The police and the security forces in Northern Ireland are working under extreme difficulties.
The Government's view, supported by the British government, was that "the ultimate test is reasonableness". He said the action of the British government and security forces in preventing the Orangemen from marching down the Garvaghy Road was "reasonable in the circumstances".
"We respect the rights of people to engage in marches. They also have to respect the right of people who do not wish marches to go through their areas."
He said the British government and its security forces had "set out to achieve a balance and obviously a balance involves compromise Mr Spring warned of the serious risks involved in the days ahead, but went on. "If there is leadership I think that an ultimate compromise can be worked out."
He added that the two governments would have to "pick up the pieces" and get the parties talking again after the present crisis.