The Democratic Unionist Party is considering holding talks with loyalist paramilitary groups if it will hasten the end of all their activity, writes Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor.
Mr Peter Robinson, the party's deputy leader, said last night the party should use its influence to ensure loyalists meet Mr Tony Blair's demand for "acts of completion", and for a complete halt to violence and criminal activity.
He was responding to a call for political help by a loyalist representative who helped engineer the loyalist ceasefire of 1994.
Mr Winston Rea told BBC Northern Ireland last night: "I feel that those politicians (in the DUP) in particular should talk direct to the loyalists and help the loyalists, and especially help get them out of the jungle. Because out of the jungle they will come, but they need help."
Mr Robinson responded: "We're discussing it at the present time, so clearly we haven't ruled it out, and how best it can be done is something that we'll have to consider.
"But I think we have a responsibility to use our influence...How best we use that influence is something that the days and weeks will perhaps reveal."
In line with the DUP demand for the IRA to dispose of all weapons and to stand down, he said there had to be a "complete end" to all paramilitary and criminal activity, as well as a "handing over of all illegal weapons".
Mr Robinson, the East Belfast MP, said his party needed to exert an "influence" on the loyalist paramilitaries, and the most appropriate way was being considered.
He said the British government needed to concentrate more on "confidence-building measures" in strongly loyalist areas, and referred to the need for investment and other social initiatives. "There is massive deprivation in unionist areas ignored by the government."
Many unionist representatives, as well as those associated with loyalist paramilitaries, believe the IRA is on the verge of a dramatic announcement on weapons and the stature of its members.
One reliable DUP source told The Irish Times last night it was feared loyalists could be left behind following such a breakthrough.
The Progressive Unionist Party leader, Mr David Ervine, told his party conference at the weekend there would be "serious movement" from the IRA in the next few months. However, republicans needed to "publicly reassure" loyalists the "war was over".
Mr Ervine said in six months the focus would be on loyalism, with Protestant working class communities needing help from both governments to shake off paramilitarism.