Sinn Féin press conference: Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has appealed to the IRA and republican supporters to "stay united".
"I think it will take weeks and longer for people to absorb what happened today. Some people may never come to terms with it.
"Maybe it is a step too far for some republicans. I would simply say to everyone to stay united. It is quite legitimate to be against this. We are not saying that our view or the IRA's view is the only view. We think it is the right one . . . but I would appeal to everyone to keep it in-house and to stay united," he told a press conference in Dublin.
Asked if IRA members could defect to dissident republicans, he replied: "I don't think for one moment that any genuine, serious republican activist is going to join any of these other micro-groups . . . Yes it is a concern, but I would have a huge confidence in people's good sense."
He urged the DUP to negotiate with Sinn Féin despite past difficulties.
"Let's talk, let's exchange ideas, let's represent our constituents. Whatever we think of today's developments, let's not let it be wasted."
Questioned about Sinn Féin's attitude to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, he said it was "totally clear and unambiguous.
"I will go to the ardchomhairle of Sinn Féin when we have satisfaction about outstanding matters, including the transfer of powers from the British to a local administration and plastic bullets."
The British government would have to "tackle the issues about who runs the securocrats, the spooks and the spies and the agents, about putting an end to political policing and getting MI5 out of it.
"We also want to be policed. The people we represent are law-abiding people, they pay taxes. They require a police service that is a public service. We don't have that now." On demands by the Irish and British governments for an end to IRA criminality, Mr Adams said: "What part of any other activity whatsoever do people not understand?"
Republicans "would, of course, dismiss the term criminality. I am not going to interpret the IRA statement when it says that it will commit its volunteers to democratic and peaceful means and forbid them to be involved in any other activity whatsoever".
Asked if Sinn Féin is prepared to wait for two International Monitoring Committee reports on the IRA's activity before opening talks with the DUP, he said: "The DUP have the right to engage, or refuse to engage with others. We can't compel them to do that.
"I would like to think that they would do that. They represent what they say is new, confident unionism. Well, let's see it. We are quite prepared to talk to them tomorrow morning."
Asked who would defend nationalists if there were a repeat of the 1969 pogroms in Belfast, he said: "Things have changed. Nationalism is now confident. Society is now confident. It is society generally which will not let that reoccur. I would have no confidence in a British government in this regard."
In his opening remarks, Mr Adams said "Today's decision by the IRA to move into a new peaceful mode is historic and represents a courageous and confident initiative.
"It is a truly momentous and defining point in the search for a lasting peace with justice. I commend the commitment of those who have taken this decision and I appeal for unity and solidarity among all Irish republicans on the island of Ireland and beyond and for the struggle to be carried forward with new energy and enthusiasm. The IRA decision presents an unparalleled challenge and opportunity for every nationalist and republican.
"There is an enormous responsibility on us to seize this moment and to make Irish freedom a reality. I would urge all Irish nationalists and republicans, including those who have shown such commitment as volunteers of the IRA, to put their undoubted talents and energy into building a new Ireland."
