The Sinn Féin President, Mr Gerry Adams, has insisted that the IRA has agreed not to engage in future criminal activity.
He said IRA volunteers had been instructed not to engage in any kind of activity that would endanger the peace process.
Mr Adams' comments came after the Progressive Democrats said that the IRA had refused to end all criminal activity. Mr Adams also accused the PD's of being politically opportunistic.
Earlier yesterday, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, reiterated his party's demand that the IRA commit itself to a specific statement that it "recognised the need to uphold and not to endanger anyone's personal rights and safety".
Separately, both Mr McDowell and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney said there was no division between the PD's and Fianna Fáil over the PD's comments