41.   The main parties representing the British Protestant majority in Northern Ireland stayed away, refusing to meet with Irish officials.

42.   The Spanish captain was being questioned by Irish marine officials about why the vessel ran aground.

43.   Turley said he was taken by surprise when he was first contacted by Irish officials about the visit.

44.   While British and Irish officials welcomed the words, skeptical Protestants demanded action.

45.   Irish officials said Bruton hoped to confer with Major by telephone, possibly later Monday, on details of the weekend proposals.

46.   Irish officials played down expectations of the outstanding differences being cleared up here.

47.   The spokesman also dismissed suggestions that British officials had been in contact with the Americans overnight, but said contacts between British and Irish officials were continuing.

48.   These will now be studied by senior British and Irish officials.

49.   With less than five days to the start of talks in Belfast on Monday, British and Irish officials were talking through most of the day.

50.   Irish officials have said an actual talks document might be ready for presentation at the next Anglo-Irish summit in late June or early July.