The Provisional IRA has spoken of its "deep concern" at the state of the peace process and accused the British and Irish governments of failing to keep to their commitments.
In a New Year statement, the IRA complained that there had been no response to its decommissioning act in October and claimed it had tried to facilitate progress throughout 2003.
"Since then the two governments have not honoured their part of [the agreement]. Consequently there has been no progress on a range of issues involved. The British government carries the premier responsibility for that. Its failure to deliver is of deep concern," the statement said.
The IRA added it had kept its word and fulfilled its commitments. "Others must do the same." There was no indication yesterday that the Provisionals' ceasefire is in danger of breaking down. The tenth anniversary of the first IRA ceasefire is on August 31st this year.
The statement proclaiming republican frustration is in tune with an end of year message from the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, issued earlier this week. It also mirrors a similar statement from INLA sources.
Sinn Féin has written to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, calling for this month's scheduled review of the Belfast Agreement to be time-limited to about four weeks.
Mr Adams wants the reviews' conclusions to be made public as soon as possible afterwards and for the political process to be kick-started. "The failure by the two governments to fully implement the agreement, plus their willingness at times to step outside the terms of the agreement, must be subject for the upcoming review," he said.
He has repeated demands for the reinstatement of the Stormont Assembly and alleged that suspension of the institutions is, in itself, a breach of the agreement.
However, the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, made it clear his party would not countenance a return to government alongside Sinn Féin while the IRA held on to any weapons.
"It is time for the IRA to disband and repudiate the way of violence," he said. "The people of Northern Ireland are not interested in words from this terror mafia. Actions will speak louder than words and the Provos must understand that the days of one-way concessions for statements and stunts are over." Dr Paisley also bluntly told the British government that Northern Ireland had been "radically altered" by November's election result and it should take note of DUP demands.
"The old, failed Belfast Agreement has been consigned to history. Side deals done between the UUP and Sinn Féin/IRA prior to the 26th November poll are, therefore, null and void," he said.
"The unionist people firmly rejected the prospect of Gerry Kelly as their policing and justice minister, the phasing out of the home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and massive demilitarisation. Their views must not be ignored now in order to placate the IRA." However the former SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, called on the DUP to live up to its name and follow the clear voice of the people. "The time has now come for all of us to recognise that for the first time in history, the people of the whole of Ireland, North and South, have spoken on how they wish to live together by voting overwhelming for the Good Friday agreement."
"There is therefore a duty on all true democrats to implement the will of the people, and if the DUP are democratic as their name tells us they are, then is it now their duty to use all their energies to implement the agreement that is the democratic will of the people."