"We have observed and verified events to put beyond use very large quantities of arms which we believe include all the arms in the IRA's possession. We have also made an inventory of them." The head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning General John de Chastelain.
". . . beyond any shadow of doubt the arms of the IRA have now been decommissioned." Former Methodist president the Rev Harold Good, one of the witnesses to the decommissioning.
"The IRA leadership can now confirm that the process of putting our arms verifiably beyond use has been completed." IRA statement
"The gun of the IRA has been taken out of Irish politics. . . this doesn't end the peace process, it is a phase. . . I've given ten years of my life to this . . . so I'm very pleased with today." The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern
"I believe this development will have a liberating impact." Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin
"Successive British governments have sought final and complete decommissioning by the IRA for over 10 years. Failure to deliver it had become a major impediment to moving forward the peace process. Today it is finally accomplished. And we have made an important step in the transition from conflict to peace in Northern Ireland." British Prime Minister, Tony Blair