DIFFICULTIES about procedure were inevitable at the beginning of the multi-party talks on the North, the Taoiseaeh said in the Dail yesterday. "My own view is that the resolution of those difficulties is not particularly assisted by comments from outside of a partial nature," said Mr Bruton. "I think it is best that the participants be allowed the space to work through the difficulties that are there.
Mr Bruton said he believed Senator George Mitchell, who had shown skill, tact and diplomacy, should be allowed to work in the way that he was so eminently capable of doing.
Earlier, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said the Taoiseach should use the opportunity provided by his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, at the margins of the Florence summit, to raise the "disgraceful situation" whereby Senator Mitchell was still not in a position to chair the talks.