Outgoing SDLP leader John Hume has today praised the IRA's move to put its weapons beyond use.
He says the gesture has breathed new life into the political institutions at Stormont.
The Foyle MP's comments came in his last party conference speech as SDLP leader.
He went on to warn that anti-Belfast Agreement unionists intent on bringing down the power sharing institutions would ultimately be undermining their own cause.
Mr Hume told party activists in Newcastle, Co Down: "The IRA initiative to put weapons beyond use to the satisfaction of the de Chastelain commission is very welcome.
"It represents a massive step forward for the Republican Movement and has given the political process a new dynamic. No-one should underestimate the magnitude of the IRA decision.
"That said, no-one should lose sight of the fact that the SDLP has consistently demanded that decommissioning begin. Frequently when we made that demand for decommissioning some in the republican movement criticised us for playing into the hands of unionists.
"Equally, when we said we thought decommissioning should happen we were criticised by some unionists who believed it would never happen."
Mr Hume claimed the full restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland on Tuesday under Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and the SDLP's Mark Durkan showed how robust and durable the institutions of the Belfast Agreement were.
Their election in the Assembly as First and Deputy First Ministers along with a fully functioning power sharing government, the North South Ministerial Council and British Irish Council would, he said, enable politicians to "now get on with the job of real politics".
PA