The IRA would have consented to photographs under a deal to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly, according to documents released today.
According to a draft statement from the international disarmament body, had a deal been struck there would have been two acts of disarmament this month destroying the IRA's entire stockpile of weapons.
Two clergymen, acting as independent observers, would have witnessed IRA disarmament which would have been completed by the end of this month.
They would have been able to make public statements about what they had seen. A photograph would also have been taken by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).
It would have been shown to political parties at Stormont and the governments by the IICD once decommissioning was completed and would have been published when power sharing was restored in March.
On the key demand by unionists for photographic evidence, the draft statement said: "We are aware... that some have argued that more is required in respect of the transparency of the decommissioning process.
"On the basis of our recent contacts with the IRA representative, we are satisfied that this will form part of our two further reports.
"The IRA representative has indicated that, in response to our request to agree mechanisms which would enhance public confidence in the decommissioning process, additional arrangements will be put in place.
"These will include the presence as observers during the process of two clergymen nominated by the two governments following appropriate consultation.
"These witnesses will be able to make public statements to the following effect on publication of the final IICD report in December: (a) that they themselves have attended each decommissioning event that has taken place since their appointment as independent witnesses; (b) that the inventory compiled by the IICD is a true reflection of what was decommissioned.
"In addition, the IRA representative has told us that the IRA will have photographs of the weapons and materiel involved taken by the IICD, in the presence of the independent observers.
"These photographs will be shown by the IICD to the two governments and the parties at the time of the final report on IRA decommissioning and will be published at the time the Executive is established."
Under the draft statement, up to date assessments of the IRA's arsenal would have been given to the IICD from British and Irish security sources. The commission would have restated a report by it confirming an end to decommissioning would have been the best way to enhance public confidence.
In a reference to loyalist paramilitaries, the draft decommissioning body statement would have concluded: "We now look forward to progress in decommissioning the weapons held by other groups."