THE Tanaiste has been ordered his doctor to remain in bed for a week due to a flare up in a chronic back condition which he has had for 15 years. Mr Spring was seriously injured in a car accident in 1981 and has suffered constant difficulties with his back since then.

A spokesman for the Tanaiste said last night that "he is working by phone" from his home in Tralee and was heading up Government business in the absence of the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, who is on an official visit to Poland.