A leading Ulster Unionist claimed this morning his party was being "strung along" by the IRA, following the announcement of a deal on weapons decommissioning.
"We believe there is nothing more significant in this statement than the choreographing of a republican campaign to continue to extract more concessions from the government," said Rev Martyn Smyth, UUP MP for South Belfast.
"We don't want to continue this choreographing of extracting promises from people without the commitment to see it done. "Three years have passed when the weapons should have put out of use, and we've been strung along. We are saying enough is enough - now is the time to start it, instead of just stringing us along," he said.
However, his UUP colleague Mr Michael McGimpsey was more positive in his response to the statement, although he said it may not leave enough time to save the North’s institutions.
Mr McGimpsey said the negotiations were moving "inexorably" towards cementing the peace process but said the IRA's current position was not yet enough.
"I don't want to be begrudging, I welcome this," he said on BBC Radio's Good Morning Ulster. "The republicans move in small steps, so this is a small step, but it's a step in the right direction."
"I think we have a time problem. Our time runs at the weekend and that is a matter of course for decisions from the Secretary of State (John Reid).
"This has potential and we want to see that potential realised."
But he added: "I don't believe, for example, that it permits David Trimble to be re-elected as First Minister between now and the weekend."
"There is still time for republicans to move on this crucial issue and if they make their move between now and the weekend then I believe we will see things restored."