The British Prime Minister yesterday told the Commons the lack of decommissioning by terrorist groups in Northern Ireland represented a "serious problem" in the peace process, but he pledged to continue striving to achieve agreement.
Mr Tony Blair said at question time decommissioning was a vital part of the Belfast Agreement. "It has to happen, but let no one doubt how far we have come and how important it is to save it.
"There has to be progress on this issue. At the present time, bluntly, there is insufficient progress for Gen de Chastelain to make the report that he has to make.
"There is no doubt at all there is a serious problem and if there is not substantial progress we have a serious difficulty on our hands."
Mr Blair said he was still hopeful of persuading the parties involved of the need to make progress.
Mr Blair was pressed on the issue by Ms Ann Winterton (Conservative, Congelton), who told him: "Will you stop putting unfair pressure on the law-abiding people of Northern Ireland and on the long suffering Unionist Party and place the blame where it rests firmly on the shoulders of the terrorists, Sinn Fein/IRA."
The Prime Minister replied that despite the lack of progress on decommissioning he still wanted to find a way through.
Responding to a Tory shout that the government had done nothing to find peace in Ulster, Mr Blair said: "For all the difficulties in Northern Ireland today we have the best chance of peace we have had for generations.
"There is investment pouring in, there is peace in place that may not be perfect but it is a million miles better than what was there before.
"I simply say to you, to dismiss everything that has happened in Northern Ireland is wrong and we are not putting unfair pressure on people, we are trying to make sure that we find a way through that allows peace and stability for the future, because at the heart of this deal in the Good Friday Agreement is a good deal for both sides.
"Let no one doubt how far we have come and therefore how important it is to try and save it".
Labour MP Mr David Winnick (Walsall N), said whatever happened with the current situation the Belfast Agreement, which was fair to both communities, ought to remain on the agenda.
He added: "By refusing even to start decommissioning is it not a fact that the IRA are playing into the very hands of the people who were opposed to the Good Friday Agreement from day one?"
Mr Blair said that was why it was important to make progress on the issue of decommissioning.
"I hope we can still bring home to everybody the need to make that progress because of the importance of the peace process."
He added: "I will carry on working, whatever happens in the next couple of days, to try and make this peace process take root. Because I do believe that in the communities of Northern Ireland people desperately want this to work - not at any price, which is why decommissioning has to be part of the agreement and is part of the agreement.
"Before we dismiss the progress that has been made, let us never forget that there are people now today, that if we don't get this peace process sorted out and moving forward again, will not grow up either in normal conditions and some will not be alive at all.
"That is what is at stake here and there are very few things in politics you could affect as deeply and profoundly as this, but this issue is one of them.
"So we will continue working to resolve the issue as best we possibly can, but there is no doubt at all that there is a serious problem and there is no doubt at all either that unless there is substantial progress we have a serious difficulty and a serious crisis on our hands. I hope we can get over that difficulty and I hope all members of the House will help us do so."