POLITICAL reaction in Dublin to the IRA rocket attack was swift and outraged, with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, leading the criticism from Leinster House.
Unreservedly condemning yesterday's events, he and the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, pledged continuing Government efforts to secure progress in the talks process.
According to the Taoiseach, the latest actions once again called gravely into question the true long term intentions of the IRA and the commitment of the entire republican movement to pursue exclusively the peaceful and democratic route.
By their recent actions the IRA had demonstrated clearly their disregard for the wishes of all the people on this island, he added.
"Only the unequivocal and irrevocable restoration of the August 1994 ceasefire will convince people at home and abroad that the republican movement is truly committed to rejuvenating the peace process on the basis of democratic and non violent means, Mr Bruton said.
The primary obstacle to an effective peace process was, overwhelmingly, IRA violence, and efforts to shift the responsibility elsewhere were "pathetic and incredible". Republican spokesmen must take responsibility for their own movement's actions.
"These violent actions are freely taken decisions by the republican leadership. The Government are resolutely determined to ensure that the democratic process will always prevail over the violent approach," Mr Bruton said.
The Government would continue to do everything possible to optimise the possibilities for progress in the talks, when they resumed.
"Our security forces will continue their intensive efforts to preempt, insofar as it is possible in our jurisdiction, any attempts to mount further terrorist attacks," he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Spring said he was appalled and angered by yesterday's attack, adding he had difficulty in understanding why the IRA had carried out such an action. It had brought everyone to the "brink of the abyss" and he was pleading with them not to provoke the situation further.
It was necessary, in the wake of the latest developments, for the two governments to offer reassurance on their commitment to inclusive talks and the peace process. The British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, had taken risks, but it was very difficult to make progress "against the background of IRA violence", he added.
Condemning the rocket attack "in the strongest possible terms", the Progressive Democrats leader, Ms Mary Harney, said the IRA had made it clear peace and reconciliation were not on its "murderous agenda for the new year".
"The republican movement is showing a contemptible disregard for the wishes of the majority of people in Northern Ireland. It is sickening to hear Sinn Fein discussing possible electoral agreements with constitutional politicians in the SDLP while its colleagues in the IRA are trying to blow innocent people to bits," she added.
The republican movement could not have it both ways, she said. It was either for peace or violence; there could be no halfway house.