In an essay in a new book to be published this week, Bruton writes that what is "lacking in Dublin is a willingness to step out of the sectarian grip of history. . ." The comments from the former Fine Gael leader are likely to raise eyebrows in Government Buildings, especially given Bruton's current role as the European Union's Ambassador to the United States.

In his piece on relations between Britain and Ireland, Bruton argues that, "Dublin must act as a guarantor of Unionist rights just as much as it already does for Nationalists.

The Irish government must act in the interests of all the people who live on the island, whether they describe themselves as 'Irish', 'British', 'Northern Irish', 'Ulster Scots' or anything else. That approach will wear down suspicion and slowly shake off the heavy burden of history."

Bruton, who served as taoiseach from late 1994 until the summer of 1997, also argues that the "lack of any 'final-status negotiation' is a problem" for the Good Friday Agreement. He says that this provisional rather than permanent status has deprived the agreement of "the full commitment that some should give it".

In his essay, Bruton recalls his first introduction to what he calls, the realities of Northern Irish politics. "One of my school friends was from Warrenpoint, Co Down and one day when we were visiting Newry, we saw an Orange Parade. It looked so quaint, unthreatening and almost funny to see men with colourful sashes and bowler hats walking down t he street. I thought to make a joke about this, but my friend suggested that I might be better advised to keep quiet."

Bruton's essay appears in Britain & Ireland: Lives Entwined which is published by the British Council and will be launched in Dublin on Thursday. Other contributors include Liz O'Donnell, Ruth Dudley Edwards and Bernadette McAliskey.