There will be no devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive without dismantling of the IRA's structure, the Democratic Unionist Party said today.
Jeffrey Donaldson
Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson warned that the organisation's Army Council would have to be destroyed.
Mr Donaldson, speaking after meeting PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde, said: "We have made it absolutely clear that there is no room for private armies in a situation where you have the Assembly operating,
"It is unfinished business, it is business that needs to be finished and resolved."
"There can be absolutely no question of the devolution of policing and justice powers to this Assembly in circumstances where we have private armies operating in any part of Northern Ireland that are committed to parties that are in governments."
The IRA has announced its disbandment, and the Sinn Féin leadership, which has reiterated its dedication to peace, is sharing power with the Rev Ian Paisley's DUP.
PA