SINN FEIN is rejecting speculation by Senator George Mitchell that there could be a split within the IRA if all party talks do not begin soon.
Party ardchomhairle member, Mr Martin McGuinness, expressed surprise at Mr Mitchell's comments and insisted that the IRA was a "disciplined and cohesive organisation". He denied that there was a danger of a split. "I believe that over the course of the last 18 months or so, the beginning of the ceasefire, that the IRA have proved themselves to be a very disciplined and cohesive organisation," he added.
Mr Mitchell, who chaired the "International Body of Decommissioning, said it was important to draw Sinn Fein further into the democratic process by starting all party talks as soon as possible.
Speaking on the BBC's Breakfast With Frost yesterday, he said there was a danger that dissension in the IRA could lead to break away elements returning to violence if the current log jam in the peace process continues. All the political parties should intensify their efforts for peace.
"I think there is a danger of a fracture within that organisation," he said. "It seems clear that not all on the republican side favour the ceasefire and the potential for some elements to take direct and violent action does remain. I hope that is not the case. I do believe that the political parties that are closely associated with the paramilitary organisations of both, sides republican and loyalist are committed to the process.
"That's why I believe it is important to draw them further into the democratic process by getting these negotiations going as soon as possible," he said.
Mr Mitchell admitted that the agreed timetable for all party talks by the end of this month would not now be met but urged both the Irish and British governments to "redouble" their efforts. "I think they've come this far. It would be a tragedy of huge proportions if it now slipped from their grasp."
The IRA has denied involvement in a gun attack in Co Tyrone on Friday. A total of 57 shots were fired at the home of a reserve policeman in Moy. Unionists had accused the Provisionals of breaking the ceasefire. In a coded statement issued In Belfast on Saturday, the IRA condemned such suggestions as "mischievous".
A 24 hour guard has been placed at the RUC officer's home. An AK47 assault rifle was used in the attack the IRA's favourite weapon. Security sources believe that the IRA, or breakaway elements from it, was involved.
The Sinn Fein chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said he did not regard the incident as a breach of the ceasefire. "The timing was very curious, whatever the intention of the people who carried it out. I very much hope it was an isolated incident," he said.
The RUC Chief Constable Sir Hugh Annesley, has said he does not believe that the IRA leadership is planning a return to violence. However, if the ceasefire broke bomb attacks in England would be likely, he added.
In an interview in Saturday's Daily Express, which the RUC has said was carried out a week earlier, Sir Hugh stated that one bomb in Britain was "worth 10 bombs over here in terms of public reaction".
Sir Hugh said that IRA leaders were "keeping their machine oiled" in Britain.
However, he did not believe there was any serious danger of a return to violence. "The real issue is intent. Are they intent on doing anything to breach the ceasefire? On the intelligence patterns at the moment, the answer is no," he said.
Detectives are believed to be still questioning a man in connection with the killing of INLA chief of staff Gino Gallagher in Belfast on Tuesday.