Taoiseach welcomes latest IRA decommissioning move

The IRA announced a fresh move on arms decommissioning this morning following talks with international decommissioning body.

The Taoiseach welcomed the move, describing it as a "significant development" and saying he was "very pleased".

We believe the amount that we saw put beyond use was substantial and it was certainly varied. Gen de Chastelain

The IRA

[  statement  ]

confirming the decommissioning move was issued shortly before 11 a.m.

In the statement claiming the move was unilateral, the IRA said: "It could be argued that the IRA should not take such an initiative, but it is precisely because of this that an initiative has been undertaken so that the peace process can be stabilised, sustained and strengthened".

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) - headed by Gen John de Chastelain - confirmed it had "witnessed an event in which the IRA leadership has put a varied and substantial quantity of ammunition, arms and explosive material beyond use".

Later Gen de Chastelain refused to say if more weapons were put beyond use in the second decommissioning act than during last year's historic IRA disarmament move.

It could be argued that the IRA should not take such an initiative, but it is precisely because of this that an initiative has been undertaken so that the peace process can be stabilised, sustained and strengthened. IRA statement

But he added: "We didn't quantify the amount before, we did say the event was significant.

"We have quantified it this time to say we believe the amount that we saw put beyond use was substantial and it was certainly varied."

Although the IICD chief would not give a precise time and location he said: "The event took place recently, it wasn't a long time ago, it was very recently."

Confirming his own commitment to the task he said: "We have other things in mind to do but this is a very important mission.

"As long as we feel there's hope I will want to stay engaged, but it has to start moving.

"People have to be convinced this is an event that has an end in sight."

General de Chastelain also pledged to continue working with loyalist paramilitaries in a bid to secure their decommissioning but was unable to report any major progress. Last October, the IRA agreed to disarm some of its guns and explosives at two secret arms dumps.

The move followed meetings between IRA representatives and the IICD, which is overseeing the process.

Additional reporting PA