Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble said today early signs showed "significant" numbers of Catholics were ready to be part of the province's new police force.
Mr Trimle said that the Patten Report - which recommended reforms of the RUC - called on nationalists to "support the police and remove all obstacles to recruitment."
Turning to the question of decommissioning, he said: "Way back last May, the IRA itself promised it would put weapons beyond use ... verifiably and completely.
"It's long past the time for them to keep that promise."
He said any move on that situation would have a positive effect on the community.
Mr Trimble added that the peace process was "more robust than commentators give it credit for."
He added: "If it turns out to be the case that the republicans are never going to implement the promises that they made then that creates difficulties."
But Mr Trimble added that politicians would sit down and discuss that situation if it arose.
Meanwhile, SinnFéin president Mr Gerry Adams said nationalists and republicans should hold out for a "platform for sustainable change on the policing issue".
PA