The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, has said a clear and unequivocal commitment by the IRA to decommission had to have the potential to overcome the current difficulties in the peace process. The Progressive Democrats leader said the Belfast Agreement could not be set aside simply to appease a small number of people who were not prepared fully to embrace democratic politics and leave violence behind them.
Meanwhile the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister discussed the situation in the North during a short telephone conversation yesterday. They are expected to talk again over the next few days.