Reaction to loyalist weapons move

Two Northern Ireland loyalist paramilitary groups, the UVF and Red Hand Commando, say they have completed the process of decommissioning, while another, the UDA says it has begun the process.

SHAUN WOODWARD, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NI

This is an historic day for people in Northern Ireland. The leadership of the UVF and RHC have today taken a bold and courageous decision for peace. For those who have doubted the political process it is proof that politics works, and that guns have no place in a normal society .

I also welcome the movement by the UDA that they have started to decommission their weapons.

PETER ROBINSON, FIRST MINISTER FOR NI

I am delighted that the UVF and RHC have rendered all of their weapons totally and irreversibly beyond use.

It is also encouraging that the UDA have commenced the process of decommissioning. Taken together, this is a significant and historic milestone for Northern Ireland.

DAWN PURVIS, LEADER OF THE PROGRESSIVE UNIONIST PARTY

This is a truly momentous day in the history of progressive loyalism. The decommissioning of all weapons by the UVF and RHC shows that peaceful, stable, inclusive democracy is the way forward for our country

SIR REG EMPEY, LEADER OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY

"These latest and long overdue statements represent one more chapter in the long road to peace and democratic practice in Northern Ireland. It is also the hope of the UUP that all paramilitary groups, as well as destroying their arsenals will, sooner rather than later, dismantle all their structures and disengage from every aspect of criminal or terrorist related activity.

MARK DURKAN, LEADER OF THE SDLP

The news that the UVF and Red Hand Commando have put their weapons beyond use is very much welcome and is long overdue.
The UDA now have to go some distance and make efforts to follow suit. The sooner that this happens, the better for everyone in the North.

GERRY KELLY, SINN FEIN JUNIOR MINISTER

I think there is a bit of scepticism out there, I don't want to dull the story but let's wait and see what John de Chastelain says about this.

It is a long time coming. People will be glad if it has occurred and I think what we need to do is move on from there.

DAVID FORD, LEADER OF THE ALLIANCE PARTY

This is a very positive development in the context of progress towards completing the peace process.

These moves lift a massive weight off every person in Northern Ireland and in doing so allows people to continue to move forward to a better future.

MARY MCALEESE, THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND

This is a very important step in building and consolidating peace in Northern Ireland and signals a turning away from a culture of conflict towards a culture of good neighbourliness, within Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland.

MICHEAL MARTIN, IRISH MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

In recent years loyalist organisations have been making effective progress towards conflict transformation, and today is an important landmark in this process.

"Northern Ireland has now moved closer to achieving the genuinely shared future for which many people have taken risks over the past decades.

DR SEAN BRADY, CATHOLIC PRIMATE OF ALL-IRELAND

News of these acts of decommissioning will be particularly welcomed within the Catholic community which was the target of so much of the violence of loyalist paramilitary groups.

I renew my appeal to all paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons completely and to give the people of Northern Ireland, especially the young, further grounds to hope that the peaceful, normal society for which we all yearn is now in sight.