The IRA has abandoned terrorism and violence, including shootings, assaults or intelligence gathering and a number of its members have taken the political path within Sinn Féin, the latest report of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said.
The Irish Government said following the latest assessement that there should now be no further delay in the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Government statement
In the IMC's 13 threport, covering the period from September 1 st2006 to November 30 th2006, it notes that a number of dissident republican groups, including the Continuity IRA, are still involved in criminal activity. It also says it has not changed its assessment of the Loyalist Volunteer Force, which it states is "primarily a criminal concern which... does not have any coherent political purpose".
The IMC says the decision of the Sinn Féin ardfheis last Sunday to support policing and the criminal justice system was "a very major development".
"That decision and the efforts invested by the leadership of the republican movement in presenting the arguments in favour of the change were further substantial evidence of their commitment to the democratic process," the report says.
The IMC report also notes the findings of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's recent report on loyalist collusion with the RUC in the period 1991-2003.
It says it is considering any implications the report may have for its remit to monitor the continuing activities of paramilitary groups".
The Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said the final obstacle to the restoration of stable power sharing in Northern Ireland has been cleared.
In a statement, the Government acknowledged the "ongoing and valuable work" of the IMC.
"The Government welcomes the very positive assessment of [the Provisional IRA's] continuing commitment to following the political path, with no involvement in any type of terrorist activity. Indeed, the report states unequivocally that 'terrorism and violence have been abandoned'," the statement says.
"The Government further welcomes the report's conclusion that PIRA as an organisation continues not to be involved in criminality."
The statement added that individuals who commit criminal acts in this jurisdiction will "of course continue to be pursued by the gardaí, and the Criminal Assets Bureau will continue to play a full role in dealing with ill-gotten assets".
As with previous IMC reports, the Government said it "notes with concern" the IMC's findings in relation to loyalist and dissident republican paramilitary organisations.
"As far as dissident republican groups are concerned, the report's conclusion that these organisations remain active and dangerous only stiffens the Government's resolve to ensure the Gardaí are given all the resources and backing necessary to counter the threat these groups pose.
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell welcomed the report, which he said continues to provide assurances on the ending of paramilitary and criminal activity on the part of PIRA.
"This positive IMC assessment - taken together with Sinn Féin's decision to support policing and the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland - means that there should now be no more delay in the restoration of full devolved government to Northern Ireland.
"I urge the parties involved, for the good of the people they represent, not to allow this opportunity to slip from their grasp," Mr McDowell said.
Mr Hain said the latest positive assessment of the Provisional IRA by the IMC meant the pressure was now on politicians to deliver devolution.
"Today's report is further proof - if proof is needed - that Northern Ireland is a much different place to what it was only 18 months ago," the minister said. "This report removes the final, major impediment to the restoration of stable and lasting devolution in Northern Ireland."
"It is now up to the politicians to show courage and grasp the historic opportunities before them in the coming weeks. It will be a tragedy if this opportunity is lost," he said.