The Northern Ireland Secretary Mr John Reid said today he will not hesitate to act against paramilitaries if there was evidence of continued illegal paramilitary activity.
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The Northern Ireland Secretary
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In a statement to the Commons indicating a more "rigorous" British government approach to breaches of republican and loyalist ceasefires, Dr Reid said while there were only six deaths in the province this year as opposed to 470 in 1972, it was still too many.
He said: "In reviewing the ceasefires, I will give particular weight to any substantiated information that a paramilitary organisation is engaged in training, targeting, acquisition or development of arms or weapons, or any similar preparations for a terrorist campaign in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.
"I say to the House - lest there be any doubt on the matter - that I will not hesitate to use the powers Parliament has given me if the circumstances require it."
Dr Reid said he had written to party leaders in Northern Ireland asking them to reaffirm their commitment to the Mitchell Principles, committing them to non-violence and the pursuit of their aims through exclusively peaceful and democratic means.
The Northern Ireland Secretary said it was not sufficient to accept that things were now a lot better in Northern Ireland than they were. "That is not the only test," he told MPs.
"The real test is whether they are as good as people have a right to expect. "They expect it of all paramilitaries and all parties.
"But there is a particular responsibility on any party participating in the government of Northern Ireland.
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"They must appreciate that operating jointly in government, as the Agreement requires, calls for a measure of responsibility and trust. And trust depends on confidence that the transition from violence to democracy continues apace; has not stalled; and will be completed without delay."
Speaking earlier, the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair said that four years after the Belfast Agreement it was "no longer sufficient that there should be no terrorist violence - we have to be clear that preparations for violence have ceased." He said it was unacceptable that paramilitary organisations should have played a part in recent sectarian disturbances.
Acknowledging the Agreement had brought benefits, Mr Blair warned ceasefire tests would be applied and said that such tests "should become increasingly rigorous".
He said that in assessing the state of the ceasefires, the Secretary of State would give particular weight to paramilitary activities such as training, targeting or the acquisition or development of weapons in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.
Mr Blair added: "It is not enough for people simply to be on ceasefire and think that there is some tolerated level of violence. No violence can be tolerated."
Dr Reid also announced that in the wake of serious violence this summer, including the murder by the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters on Sunday of Gerard Lawlor in north Belfast, he had asked the British Attorney General to look at how the perpetrators could be brought to book.
"I have therefore asked my Rt Hon Friend, the Attorney General, to lead an examination of police powers, bail arrangements and the scope for additional criminal offences.
"He will also examine whether there are any changes in the criminal law that could be made to facilitate successful prosecutions for acts of terrorism, violence and organised crime.
"All of this would compliment the Proceeds of Crime Bill which we hope will receive Royal Assent today and which will give us a powerful weapon to hit paramilitary finances and the greed of individuals.
Demands from Unionist hardliners for Blair to sanction Sinn Féin were not met. Unionists had been pressing for Sinn Féin's expulsion from the Executive amid claims of IRA activity.
The measures, however, may not be enough for David Trimble who may resign if London does not take firm action against paramilitary violence.
Security forces in Northern Ireland and in the Republic would continue to deploy all the resources at their disposal to tackle loyalist and dissident republican violence.
The Taoiseach and the American government are expected to issue statements later today backing the stance of the British government.
The Ulster Unionist Party demanded the British government define exactly what a ceasefire is and what sanctions would be taken against those who broke the terms.