21.   Privately, Irish officials were fuming and frustrated, accusing their British counterparts of accepting, then rejecting, a diplomatic way around the stalemate.

22.   Still, Irish officials worry that it will be used by some to embarrass the president, and there have been some efforts to minimize potential embarrassment.

23.   The British accusations had led Irish officials to publicly state that they did not equate IRA weapons with those held by the British army and police here.

24.   The Irish proposal would not require the IRA to begin giving up its weapons, a goal that Irish officials view as unrealistic at best and obstructionist at worst.

25.   The statement provoked indignant responses from both Protestant leaders in the North and Irish officials in Dublin.

26.   This is why senior British and Irish officials are increasingly hopeful that a consensus is within sight if not grasp.

27.   Bruton had planned to begin an extended visit to Canada on Sunday, but Irish officials said those plans are being reviewed.

28.   Bruton has said his government will not meet with the Sinn Fein until the IRA restores its cease-fire, although Irish officials remain in contact with Sinn Fein.

29.   But he said Irish officials were still in contact with Sinn Fein.

30.   However, he said Irish officials were still in contact with Sinn Fein.