The Government is unlikely to take any specific action to address revelations that the Provisional IRA still exists, despite two damning reports warning the paramilitary force continues in the North, has a criminality “legacy” in the south, and that its army council remains involved in Sinn Féin.

Political talks aimed at saving the North's crisis-hit power sharing government from collapse will take place in Belfast later.

The North’s politicians have been called into talks next week to resolve the crisis over IRA activity.

Cormac O’Keeffe writes that amid the heat and noise of the last week, trying to determine if — and to what extent — the IRA continues to exist has been like trying to grab a wet bar of soap.