Parties call for action on arms

Adams says he wants the IRA to move on arms

A real act of decommissioning is needed in the next two days if the Northern Ireland peace process is to be saved, say the Conservatives.

Politicians from the main political parties at Westminster have welcomed Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams call for the IRA to make a "ground breaking move" on arms.

If decommissioning occurs it is ultimately a triumph for those who believed that the Good Friday Agreement could deliver peace

Lembit Opik
Liberal Democrat

But the Tories and Liberal Democrats have stressed those words must be followed by actions.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid called the Sinn Fein speech "highly significant, coming from someone of Mr Adams's authority and stature within republicanism".

"Like everyone, I hope that the IRA will accept the view that a groundbreaking move on the arms issue will transform the political situation," he added.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Quentin Davies emphasised the importance of the timetable for action as Thursday's deadline for the collapse of the power-sharing arrangement looms.

Transformation hopes

"Clearly, if Gerry Adams's speech is genuinely followed by a real act of decommissioning that will be very welcome," he said.

"But this will need to happen in the next 48-hours at the latest if the peace process and devolved government in Northern Ireland is to be saved."

Any IRA action is likely to be the first step in a decommissioning process that should have finished a year-and-a-half ago, Mr Davies argued.

Reid says the statement is "highly significant"

"It is absolutely vital that full decommissioning takes place on both sides.

"The so-called loyalist paramilitaries must now match at least any IRA decommissioning, and the IRA must themselves continue the process."

Lib Dem Northern Ireland spokesman Lembit Opik adopted a similar tone as he welcomed Mr Adams's statement.

"His words need to be backed up by actions," he said.

"There must now be a substantive move by the IRA to put its weapons beyond use that will satisfy the De Chastelian Commission.

Unionist responsibility

"There is a responsibility on unionists to demonstrate their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and to devolution by moving to stabilise the assembly and the north-south institutions."

Mr Opik pointed to "very encouraging" signs that the UUP had accepted the statement in good faith.

Stressing the need for loyalists paramilitaries to decommission, he added: "If decommissioning occurs it is ultimately a triumph for those who believed that the Good Friday Agreement could deliver peace."