Pressure is building on Mr Tony Blair to make clear how his government will respond to violent incidents involving the IRA.
The unionist leader , Mr David Trimble, acknowledged the IRA apology for death and injury caused to civilians, but continued to concentrate on what the statement did not say about a declared end to the IRA campaign.
Mr Trimble has warned that unless Mr Blair responds with some form of sanction proposal against Sinn Féin in the face of any further IRA incidents, the political process could be in grave trouble.
He said yesterday that because the IRA did not refer to future intentions in its apology, nor did it specifically mention recent incidents "we still call upon the Prime Minister to carry out the promise that he made at Hillsborough to define more precisely the ceasefire and to indicate what happens in the event of breaches".
The First Minister says he wants government proposals to be put before the Commons before the summer recess next Wednesday.Other political reaction continued to emphasise the positive aspects of the IRA's unprecedented statement of apology.
The Northern Secretary repeated his view that the announcement was positive but said the IRA should make it clear its campaign was over.
In an opinion article for today's Irish Times, Dr John Reid said: "I and the government of which I am a member regret every single death during the Troubles, no matter what their background or by whom they were killed," a reference to the IRA claim that there was no hierarchy of victims.
However, Dr Reid added: "But it does not follow that there is moral equivalence between the actions which caused these deaths. The simple fact is that terrorism as a tactic for advancing a political cause is wrong."
He concluded saying: "The real test is whether the IRA's transition from violence to democracy continues apace and, in doing so, gives confidence to the whole political process."
President George W. Bush's special adviser on the North also spoke of the positive aspects of the statement. Mr Richard Haass said: "So long as the IRA or any organisation retains the capacity for violence then no-one can say for sure what it will do.
"That's why the focus is on seeing the elimination of all arms, not just by the IRA but by all paramilitaries." Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness is in the US and has been talking to the US administration about the IRA's move.
There were indications last night that the White House views the development positively and that the idea of a truth and reconciliation forum along the lines of that which followed the democratic settlement in South Africa was again being talked about.
However, all eyes will now turn to Mr Blair and the proposals he will present to MPs next week.