OUTGOING DUP leader Ian Paisley has called for the IRA army council to be disbanded and praised Sinn Féin's support for the police and the justice system.
Addressing 750 supporters at a rally to mark his standing down from the leadership of the party he founded in 1971, Dr Paisley praised Sinn Féin's "amazing turnaround".
"Those who killed gallant members of the RUC now publicly support the police by a signed pledge, they co-operate with them and supply the police with valuable information which I hope will see the ending of the IRA army council," he said.
"There has been an amazing turnaround, and please God we will see it come to full fruition. We look forward to the time when police powers can be placed in the hands of the people, but that cannot be until these pressing matters are satisfactorily resolved."
His 40-minute address contained no other reference to the restored political institutions at Stormont or to his decision to share power with Sinn Féin.
Dr Paisley greeted the official recognition in the Republic to those who died in the first and second world wars.
"One of the most pleasing actions of the present time is the honouring of those Roman Catholic heroes from North and South who paid the price for our liberty," he said. "It is great to see them reinstated to their rightful place.
"Recently, when I visited Dublin, I paid a call at the burial place of those great defenders of democracy. When I was rearing my own family I saw to it that my three younger children had part of their education in an integrated school." He claimed this experience had "no effect whatsoever on their robust Protestantism".
Departing from the speech's strong religious theme, Dr Paisley referred to what he called the failure of the existing unionist party to defend the union.
"The Official Unionist Party, of which I was a member, failed under Terence O'Neill to face that challenge. Negotiations on the basis of weakness were in reality, treachery, and I was very concerned that that policy would destroy us."
These threats were also prevalent in church affairs, he claimed. "In the religious world things were also in poor shape. Ecumenism threatened to destroy biblical Protestantism, and the World Council of Churches was busily employed in dismantling the Protestant Reformation."
He recounted his first foray into electoral politics and what he claimed was malpractice against him, which drew the battle lines between him and the unionist establishment.
"Ulster was in the melting pot. But Ulster did not melt," he said. "I salute the memory of all those who shed their life's blood to keep Ulster free. We also salute those who bear in their bodies the cruel, murderous marks of the conflict. We hail these heroes. Thank God they have not died in vain."
Turning to his first election, he said: "I am not expected to die just immediately, although many have wished me dead long since, but tonight we have with us Charlie Poots, the only surviving candidate for Stormont on our first Protestant Unionist list. I salute him tonight as a brother beloved. I am also delighted that his son Edwin follows in his path, and that he has done so well in upholding our principles as Minister of Sport."
A significant section of his address was reserved for his family and especially his wife, Eileen. "What a blessing a godly wife is, and what a blessing a Christian family," he said.