The Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble has said there is "no sign of any progress" in the republican promise to put its weapons completely and verifiablybeyond use.
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The Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble.
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The North's First Minister, who has threatened to resign over the decommissioning issue at the end of June, was reacting to news that IRA weapons dumps have been inspected by the International Decommissioning Commission which reported them to be secure.
Mr Trimble said while he had anticipated further inspections he would have liked to have seen more arms dumps examined.
"There is no sign of any progress being made in fulfilling the republican movement's promise to put their weapons completely and verifiably beyond use as set out on May 6th, 2000," he said.
"It is that promise alone which must be fulfilled."
The Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams denied the latest arms inspection was a ploy to boost his party's vote in the upcoming elections.
"First of all Sinn Féin don't need this statement. In fact it could be argued that others in the election campaign could need it more than us," he said.
"Irrespective of the timing I think it's a welcome development. I think it shows that the IRA are committed to this process.
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The Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams.
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"Equally important is the statement from the IICD saying it has continued its discussions with the IRA representative. It shows that the IRA very clearly are on a journey and those of us who are on the journey with them to bring about a peaceful dispensation," he added.
Mr Adams said he hoped that the statement would be welcomed by all the four agreement parties, particularly the Ulster Unionists.
The IRA's meeting with the commission and the arms inspections were cautiously welcomed by the SDLP.
But party chairman Mr Alex Attwoodcalled for more confidence-building measures.
"The community wants to see the outstanding issue fully and finally resolved," he said in a reference to the difficulties over disarmament, policing, demilitarisation and the workings of the new political institutions.
"That is the responsibility on all the parties and the paramilitary organisations.
"Every measure that can build confidence needs to be taken, more measures to achieve confidence should be taken and further measures to achieve confidence are still required."
Mr Seamus Close, deputy leader of the Alliance Party, also gave the move a cautious welcome but he added: "There is a clear need to go further if lasting peace is to be achieved."
Mr Close said there was a growing expectation firm and positive steps would be taken to fully implement the Belfast Agreement.
The developments were welcomed by the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid who said: "My hope is that the contacts which resumed in March between the IRA and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning will also soon enable Gen de Chastelain to report significant progress on the putting of IRA weapons fully and verifiably beyond use."