The IRA must directly address claims that it carried out the £26.5 million sterling Northern Bank raid, the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader said today.
As pressure mounted from unionists on the British government to impose sanctions on Sinn Féin following the claim by PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde, Mr David Ervine called on the IRA to issue a statement.
PUP leader Mr David Ervine
The East Belfast Assembly member, whose party is linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando, said: "Some people are saying the IRA has said they didn't do this.
"That's not true. The IRA hasn't said anything. Only republican sources have spoken but that's not the IRA.
"Given that there is a credibility problem over denials from IRA sources - look at the the murder of Garda Jerry McCabe or even Colombia - people are saying: this is major crisis, why isn't P O'Neill saying anything?
"What has P O'Neill to say about this?," he asked.
Talks to restore devolution in Northern Ireland have been in crisis since Mr Orde's claim last Friday.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, attacked Sinn Féin yesterday evening, insisting there was no way open in any political progress for any party or politician who owed allegiance to the IRA.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy has said it is difficult to predict when power sharing might be restored and has hinted he will look at other proposals on how to move the process forward.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, is to meet Mr Murphy in Dublin on Monday.
Sinn Féin kicks off its centenary celebrations in Dublin tonight, where party president, Mr Gerry Adams, will deliver a keynote address.