The IRA should stand down its ruling council to bring final peace to Northern Ireland, the Rev Ian Paisley said tonight in his final speech as party leader.
Outgoing DUP leader Ian Paisley speaks at a rally at the Kings Hall in Belfast tonight , marking the end of his leadership of the party
Devolution of policing and justice powers to the North must happen once this final act is complete, the outgoing Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) head added in an emotional Belfast address.
He hands over the reins as DUP leader after more than three decades to deputy Peter Robinson tomorrow.
“Today those who killed gallant members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) now publicly support the police by a signed pledge, they cooperate with them and supply the police with valuable information which I hope will see the ending of the IRA army council,” he said.
“There has been an amazing turn-around, and please God we will see it come to full fruition.
“We look forward to the time when police powers can be placed in the hands of the people, but that cannot be until these pressing matters are satisfactorily resolved.”
He arrived at the venue in the west of the city to tumultuous applause, conjuring up memories of years of protest rallies since he founded the fundamentalist DUP in 1971.
More recently, he has been First Minister in the power-sharing government at Stormont, working with Sinn Féin deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
He has been praised by the British, Irish and US administrations for cementing power-sharing with Sinn Fén.
The North Antrim MP (82) oversaw an investment conference earlier this month involving US companies and has also argued the province’s case around the world.
His stance on working with Sinn Fein was overwhelmingly backed at the election polls in March 2007 when the DUP became the largest party in government.
However, there have been tensions over his close working relationship with Mr McGuinness and his resignation followed the standing down of his son Ian Jnr as Junior Minister in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister after questions about his business dealings.
Mr Paisley Snr added: “Tonight I salute the memory of all those who shed their life’s blood to keep Ulster free.
“We also salute those who bear on their bodies the cruel murderous marks of the conflict. We hail these heroes.
“Thank God they have not died in vain.”
He also praised the Republic's Government for honouring the war dead.
“It is great to see them reinstated to their rightful place,” he added.
He will be replaced as First Minister at the Assembly on Thursday after meeting Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond earlier in the week.
Earlier Taoiseach Brian Cowen paid tribute to Dr Paisley, saying he had shown great leadership and "immense vision" in helping to bring about historic agreement in Northern Ireland.
"There is now a new Northern Ireland, which is looking to the future with hope and with confidence. As he steps down from that office, he leaves behind a great legacy," Mr Cowen said.
"Dr Paisley has played a central role in building a new relationship between unionists and nationalists on this island, which was exemplified by the warmth of the reception and the depth of respect evident on the occasion of the joint opening of the Battle of the Boyne site earlier this month," he added.
Mr Robinson also paid tribute to a person he said was a colossus of unionism. "It is very easy to flow with the tide, it isn't Ian's way," he said.
“It is always easy to be able to play to the gallery, that hasn’t been Ian’s way.
“There were few individuals who out of nothing created out of nothing a political party that would become the largest political party.”