UUP 'accepts' decommissioning reports
Tuesday, 27 September 2005 22:53
UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy has said his party accepts the account given by witnesses Fr Alec Reid and Reverend Harold Good of IRA weapons decommissioning.
The Taoiseach and the Sinn Féin President said the DUP leader, Ian Paisley, should be given time to reflect on yesterday's announcement that the IRA's weapons have been put out of use.
Bertie Ahern and Gerry Adams were responding separately to Dr Paisley's assertion that there was still no proof that all the IRA's weapons have been decommissioned.
Mr Ahern added that further reports from the Independent Monitoring Commission would show that the peace process had moved to a new phase.
Mr Paisley also asserted that the gun is not out of Irish politics.
Dr Paisley was speaking after meeting the head of the decommissioning body, General John de Chastelain, in Belfast.
The meeting was part of a series of meetings today involving General de Chastelain and Northern Ireland's political parties to discuss in greater detail the destruction of the IRA's arsenal.
General de Chastelain, along with fellow members of the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning, was also due to meet delegations from the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and the Alliance Party.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness, is travelling to the United States to brief politicians on the latest developments.
Last night, the Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, said unionist distrust is natural, but he insisted that the IRA's move would bring the return of devolution closer.
A spokeswoman for Mr Ahern said that the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, telephoned Mr Ahern to congratulate the Government on yesterday's announcement.
The Taoiseach hopes to meet the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in the coming week to discuss how to move forward in Northern Ireland.
The Dáil is to hear statements on the most recent developments when it returns tomorrow.
- News At One: DUP leader Ian Paisley treated the confirmation of decommissioning with scorn following his meeting
- News At One: Danny Morrison, former director of publicity for Sinn Féin, says Unionists must not be allowed to get away with simple rejection
- News At One: Conor Hunt reports that Northern Secretary Peter Hain was up-beat as he attended the traditional 'Ulster Fry' during the Labour Party Conference
- Morning Ireland: Brendan O'Brien, broadcaster and author of several books on the North, talks about the issue of loyalist decommissioning
- Morning Ireland: Kate Egan speaks to families of those killed by the IRA during the Troubles
- Morning Ireland: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, Irish News Editor Noel Doran and Belfast Newsletter Editor Austin Hunter debate the IRA's statement that its weapons have been put beyond use
- Morning Ireland: Ed Moloney, author of 'A Secret History of the IRA', discusses the current status of the organisation
- Morning Ireland: Senator George Mitchell, who was involved in the Northern Ireland peace process, welcomes the IRA's decision
- Morning Ireland: Bernard McMullen gauges reaction to the IRA decommissioning from people in west Belfast
- Prime Time: Martin Mansergh, former advisor to the Government on Northern Ireland, Caoimhghin O Caoláin, SF TD, and Eamon Gilmore of the Labour Party discuss the situation
- Prime Time: Donagh Diamond considers the implications of the move for Sinn Féin's political chances south of the border
- Nine News: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, reports on the aftermath of yesterday's historic announcement that the IRA has put arms out of use
- Six One News: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, reports on today's meetings between the parties and the IICD
- One News: David Davin-Power, Political Correspondent, reports on today's comments by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, regarding Northern Ireland
- One News: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, reports on today's meetings between Northern Ireland's parties and General John de Chastelain over IRA decommissioning
- News Special: De Chastelain confirms IRA has decommissioned its arms
