THE Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, said the Irish electorate should not vote for the Irish Labour Party because of the Tanaiste's involvement in Northern politics.
He was responding to remarks by the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, in an article in the Irish News yesterday. Mr Ahern urged Northern voters not to elect candidates who were prepared to see a repeat of Drumcree this year or to vote for Sinn Fein if there was no IRA ceasefire.
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, expressed fury at Mr Ahern's opinions. "The people of my constituency are very angry that here we have the leader of the opposition party in a foreign country directing them how to vote."
In what has been described as an "unprecedented" step, Mr Ahern said the voters should not be fobbed off with general assurances about a commitment to peace when what was needed was a new ceasefire - without buts or ifs.
Mr Ahern gave an equally tough message to unionist voters. He asked them to make sure they elected candidates who were not prepared to see a repeat of Drumcree this summer.
"I urge voters of Northern Ireland to recognise that they have people-power and exercise it decisively-across the divide in the elections, to get action now and to give peace a decisive boost," said Mr Ahern.
"Nationalists voters have the opportunity to make it clear to all those who canvass their support that they want the IRA campaign, including the hideous punishment beatings (also committed by loyalists) to stop for good," he said.