The Northern Secretary Peter Hain has said the latest Independent Monitoring Commission report builds on previous assessments that the IRA remains committed to following a political path.
The report also said that the IRA has not engaged in acts of terrorism and the terrorist capabilities of the organisation continue to deteriorate following the disbandment of paramilitary structures.
Mr Hain added the onus is now on loyalists to travel along this same road as it cannot afford to be left behind as politics in Northern Ireland has dramatically moved into a new era.
He welcomed the IMC assessment that there are signs at a leadership level within loyalism, both within the UDA and the UVF, that it wants to move forward.
Sinn Féin Newry Armagh MP, Conor Murphy, has dismissed the IMC report published today as irrelevant and called on loyalist and unionist leaders to use their influence to bring about a permanent end to loyalist violence.
Mr Murphy said the IMC has made no positive contribution to moving the political process forward and it has no place in the political process and no constructive future role to play.
He added that nobody needs an IMC report to know that republicans have delivered on their commitments and that loyalist organisations have a considerable distance to travel to deliver on what is required in terms of a wholehearted commitment to a peaceful future for everyone.
