Reaction from President Mary McAleese and Ireland's largest union Siptu.
President Mary McAleese
President Mary McAleese said yesterday's decommissioning announcement would remove a major obstacle to the search for a lasting and peaceful solution to the problems which had beset Northern Ireland for so long.
"I hope that these developments will help to bring about a better climate in which trust between the two communities in Northern Ireland can flourish in the years ahead and that it will herald a speedy end to all ongoing paramilitary activity. We are indebted to both the Irish and British governments and the many individuals and organisations who have worked tirelessly to bring about today's developments in order to help create a much better climate for political progress in Northern Ireland," the President said.
Siptu
Siptu president Jack O'Connor last night welcomed the statement by Gen John de Chastelain and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning that the IRA had put its weapons beyond use.
"This announcement is vitally important to the peace process because it confirms previous IRA statements, including the formal ending of its armed campaign last July, that the organisation is now committed to achieving its political objectives through purely democratic and peaceful means."
The statement was truly historic and finally offered the prospect of a "permanent resolution to the conflict between the communities on this island", he added.
"We look forward to the development of normal, progressive politics on this island, which will unquestionably serve to advance the interests of working people and their families, North and South."