THE Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, has deplored recent speeches by the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and the Fianna Fail leader which he says "bode ill" for the future of all party talks.

It was clear from recent utterances by Mr Bruton and Mr Spring that the Dublin Government was intent on following a partisan nationalist agenda, Mr Trimble said in an address at Durham University yesterday.

In particular, he said, Mr Dick Spring's proposal for parallel talks on decommissioning would allow Sinn Fein and the IRA use the threat of violence as a bargaining counter in all party negotiations.

The UUP leader also described as "disgraceful" Mr Bertie Ahern's recent Arbour Hill speech where he accused the Government of "chasing after an unresponsive unionist leadership and failing to adequately represent nationalists.

Mr Trimble said Mr Bruton's Finglas speech was an interference in the internal affairs of Northern Ireland. "His shopping list included the legal system, the police, local structures of government, human rights, employment, economic development and cultural matters," he added.

"To seek to interfere in these matters is bad enough, but what is worse is that it is clear from the speech that the Irish Government will approach these matters, not, on their merits, but in a partisan, manner acting as advocate for Northern nationalists.

"It is depressing that Bruton's speech seems to result from, and echo, a recent speech by Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein/IRA."

Mr Trimble said "even worse" was Mr Spring's suggestion of a parallel body to handle the decommissioning problem during all party talks.

What the Tanaiste was proposing, according to the UUP leader, was that there would be no "actual decommissioning until the political negotiations were completed to the satisfaction of the parties including Sinn Fein.

"It is obvious that Spring's suggestion would enable Sinn Fein/IRA to use the threat of force as a lever in political debate," Mr Trimble added.

"Bruton has been under great pressure recently to adopt a more nationalist line. Witness the recent disgraceful speech from Bertie Ahern. It is regrettable that he has succumbed to it. But it is now no surprise to see Spring show he can go one further by adopting the Sinn Fein position.