Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams this evening called the decommissioning of IRA weapons a "defining moment in the peace process".
Mr Adams said: "We now have an opportunity to build a future democratically and politically provided all of us put our shoulders to the wheel."
Speaking on RTE radio, he said: "We have a huge responsibility to make sure no-one dies, or is injured or imprisoned for any incident arising out of political conflict."
But he warned: "There was a huge onus on the two governments to deliver on their commitments, and to create the conditions where unionism faces up to its responsibilities".
Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness hailed the significance of IRA decommissioning.
The Mid Ulster MP said: "This is a momentous day for peace. "It is, in my view, a tremendous advance, a historic advance, for all the people of Ireland.
"It is the turning of the final page in the whole controversy over IRA arms.
"It has always been used by unionists as an excuse but now that excuse has effectively been taken away.
"For all of us there is a tremendous, golden opportunity to move forward."
Mr McGuinness said: "I hope people will realise the importance of what has happened and recognise that all of this was done by people who were part of a military organisation, who accepted Gerry Adams's appeal that the way forward now is by purely political means."