Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams todayrejected claims made by the DUP's Mr PeterRobinson naming those alleged to be leadingmembers of the Provisional IRA.
He said the move by DUP Assembly member Mr PeterRobinson in identifying those he said sat on thegroup's seven-strong Army Council was part of aninternal battle within unionism.
Mr Robinson told the Assembly yesterday that hehad seen a document listing the present makeupof the council and that it included Mr Adams andNorthern Ireland education minister Mr MartinMcGuinness.
Mr Robinson said: "It indicates that the Chiefof Staff is Thomas Murphy, the Assistant ChiefBrian Keenan - a veteran Belfast republican whoacts as an interlocutor with the De Chastelaincommission.
"The other members are Martin McGuinness, GerardAdams, Martin Ferris, Patrick Doherty and BrianGillen."
He also named nine others he claimed wereheadquarters staff, adding: "These are thepeople who are in charge of the Provisional IRAtoday."
Mr Adams, in Dublin to launch his party'scampaign in opposition to the Nice Treaty, said:"Ian Paisley made exactly the same claims amonth or so ago.
"I said to Ian Paisley that I have to acceptthat you have a mandate. I have to respect that.I have to work with you.
"It is important that there are frank exchangesbut I obviously reject the assertion that PeterRobinson made about IRA membership."
PA