The IRA has "done enough" to allow for the re-establishment of the Northern Executive and the implementation of the rest of the Good Friday agreement, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last night.
Speaking in Government Buildings, Mr Ahern said the Independent International Commission would not have described the IRA's act of decommissioning as "significant" unless it was so.
"This initiative has been long sought by many people and breaks the log-jam in the peace process. This should be universally recognised and acted upon," he declared.
The lack of detail given in Gen John De Chastelain's statement about the quantity of guns, ammunition and explosives should not become a problem, Mr Ahern said.
"We are confident that today's unparalleled breakthrough makes it not only possible but imperative for all to play their part fully in bringing about the full implementation of the agreement. In particular, all parties to (it) must play their full part in the institutions and enable the other parties to play their rightful part, in accordance with the pledge of office. It is now time for democratic politics to be allowed to work." He knew, he said, that there were "limited numbers" of people in Northern Ireland and elsewhere who would not be happy even if every single weapon ever held by all paramilitaries were "delivered to their front parlour".
Clearly delighted, Mr Ahern was joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue and the Progressive Democrat Minister of State, Mr Bobby Molloy, for the announcement.
Following the disappointment of last August, Mr Ahern said that he and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, had rededicated themselves to forcing a breakthrough.
"There were many who said that we would never achieve that and that we should not bother with it. Tonight, we have reached something that is very important," he said.
He thanked the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) led by Gen De Chastelain for its "integrity and commitment" and "tireless and painstaking efforts". The Good Friday agreement's decommissioning clauses were "clear, unambiguous and binding".
"The Government has consistently expressed the view that putting arms beyond use is but one of the essential elements in implementing (it)," said the Taoiseach.
Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan said he recognised the historic significance of the development. "I welcome in particular the reference in the Provisional IRA statement to their motivation for the steps now taken. They have done so to save the peace process and to persuade others of their genuine intentions. This clear recognition and acceptance of the will of the Irish people, as expressed in the referendums on the Good Friday agreement, is especially welcome. I now look forward to similar moves by the loyalist paramilitaries."
The Good Friday agreement must now be worked in full by all, he said. "(It) is the best possible basis for peace and stability on the island of Ireland and for good relations between the people of Ireland and Britain.
Labour leader Mr Ruair∅ Quinn said "events of truly historic proportions" had taken place, even though the extent of the IRA's decommissioning was still unknown.
"This indeed seems to be the seismic shift in the thinking of the republican movement that we were promised some two years ago. There is no doubt that we now have the most favourable conditions for real progress since the signing of the Good Friday agreement. But if full advantage is to be taken of the new situation, all parties must act in a positive manner and show good faith. All sides must intensify efforts to overcome the distrust and sectarianism that has bedevilled Northern Ireland for so long. There is a particular obligation on the loyalist paramilitaries to honour the statements made that they would follow suit if the IRA started decommissioning."
Later, he said: "Every person of good will must now work to ensure that the opportunity is not lost to move to a new era of peace and political stability in Northern Ireland and consign political violence permanently to the dustbin of history."
Sinn FΘin's Cavan/Monaghan TD, Mr Caoimhgh∅n ╙ Caolβin, welcomed the move, saying: "Not for the first time the Irish Republican Army has taken a very courageous and historic initiative to save the Irish peace process. I welcome this development and commend the IRA leadership and its rank and file volunteers for their bravery and genuine commitment to the achievement of justice and lasting peace in our country.
The IRA had never been a party to the Good Friday agreement, he said. "(It) has repeatedly stretched itself in order to facilitate progress in the peace process. Once more the IRA has responded positively and has taken this extremely difficult decision."
He said he understood the IRA's act would "cause difficulties for many sincere republicans", who rejected the establishment's view that IRA weapons were responsible for the impasse in the peace process.
