The IRA will not disband but will have no role other than to pursue the goal of a united Ireland by purely peaceful means, in the scenario now being considered by republican leaders.
Sinn Féin MPs Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are believed to be intimately involved in the internal republican debate which the two governments hope will yield a statement from the IRA about its future status within weeks. However, The Irish Times understands that decisions about the IRA's possible "new mode" will not involve the holding of a republican convention or changes to the IRA's constitution and mission statement.
The London bombings should increase the pressure on the IRA to finally deliver weapons' decommissioning and the end of all paramilitary activity, according to Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman David Lidington.
He said he believed last Thursday's terror attacks would "reinforce a political climate, in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom, that terrorism is totally unacceptable."
He added: "I hope it will add to the pressure on the Provisionals to deliver finally on what they promised seven or eight years ago."
The indications are, also, that the expected republican moves are not predicated on the assumption that the Democratic Unionist Party will in turn agree the early resumption of a power-sharing government at Stormont.
There were concerns in Belfast yesterday that the Orange Order parade in Ardoyne tomorrow night and the reimprisonment of Shankill bomber Seán Kelly could cause some difficulties. "People should not underestimate the problems and dangers that exist for Tuesday," a Sinn Féin spokesman said.
Asked could the Kelly and Ardoyne parade issues adversely affect the timing and content of the IRA statement he said that was a matter for the IRA. "Obviously these will be factors in the debate concerning the anger there is among republicans out there, especially in Ardoyne and north Belfast generally."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday signalled his worry that possible trouble during the parade past the Ardoyne shops and republican anger over the jailing of Kelly could cause problems. He did not directly challenge the decision to send Kelly back to jail for allegedly breaching the terms of his release, but said the jailing created "some shockwaves through the nationalist community". He said Kelly had been "helpful in trying to keep order" during confrontations.