The SDLP has today called on loyalist paramilitaries to initiate a decommissioning process following yesterday’s move by the IRA.
SDLP Minister Dr Sean Farren said the IRA had made an "historic move" as regards decommissioning and said the onus was now on "the entire unionist and loyalist community... to work to achieve a commitment on arms from loyalist paramilitaries".
Speaking at a constituency meeting in North Antrim this morning Dr Farren said the scale of the IRA’s decision should not be underestimated.
He said the move offered "real hope" for a stable political process which would in the long term "help the Executive and the Assembly to deliver real benefits for all the people of Northern Ireland".
Dr Farren called on loyalist paramilitaries to make a similar move and "cement that stability".