Government hopeful IRA move on weapons will follow quickly

The Government remained cautiously hopeful last night that yesterday's declaration by the Sinn FΘin president, Mr Gerry Adams, will be followed quickly by IRA decommissioning.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said an IRA move would help to get over "the obstacle" which has "bedevilled" the Good Friday agreement.

"I think it is a positive and constructive statement, building on the work that all of us have been at for the last number of days, and weeks and months for that matter," he said.

If progress is made now, all sides will be able to move quickly to make "significant and substantial moves" on the operation of the Assembly, the Executive and the North-South institutions.

However, he warned that all sides face "a tight timescale". "There is not just one issue, there are many issues we have to make progress on. But there is a great opportunity, I think, to do that."

Privately, the Government believes Mr Adams would not have made yesterday's speech without being sure the IRA would heed his call for "a ground-breaking" step.

However, some fear that Sinn FΘin may "over-choreograph" events and raise too many expectations about the scale of decommissioning being considered by the IRA. The Government's final verdict on any IRA move will depend on the judgment of the chairman of the International Independent Decommissioning Body, Gen John de Chastelain.

"What we want is a statement from the general saying that they have fulfilled their obligations. A statement from P O'Neill is not of much use to us," said one source last night.

Equally cautious, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said the IRA had agreed to a decommissioning schedule in early August. "Unfortunately that offer was then taken off the table." He commended Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness for their leadership. "I hope that the IRA and, indeed, the loyalist paramilitaries will now properly respond to this political initiative."

The leader of Fine Gael, Mr Michael Noonan, said Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness's statements were "very encouraging, a good first step".

"I await with interest whatever developments may unfold as a consequence over the next few days. I look forward in particular to hear what Gen John de Chastelain has to say on foot of the IRA announcement."

The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, said Mr Adams's speech marked the first time a Sinn FΘin leader had urged the IRA to decommission "in such explicit and direct terms".

"One assumes that Mr Adams would not have made this speech unless he was sure that the IRA would respond positively."