A bold, brave leap, insists Adams
Mr Adams made it clear loyalists had to accept the move at face value if the power-sharing peace process was to be saved.
He dismissed unionist complaints that the act of decommissioning had not been transparent enough.
“The fact is they can’t be photographed now. There is no encore. It can’t be done again. It’s finished. It’s gone,” he said.
He urged loyalists to accept the verdict of the weapons decommissioners and the two clergymen who witnessed the destruction of the IRA arsenal.
“These were very highly respected international figures and two representatives of the Christian denominations on this island. No one can seriously say they were fooled or part of a conspiracy,” Mr Adams said.
“Some unionists may fear this is a tactical manoeuvre, or an attempt to trap them. It is not. Some unionists have expressed fears about a Plan B. There is no Plan B. There is no secret agenda,” Mr Adams said.
He admitted many republicans found the IRA move uncomfortable, particularly as other paramilitary groups had not yet disarmed.
“I know today’s announcement will be very difficult for many republicans. This was a bold, a brave, leap. We need to think beyond the moment, It is not the leap itself but the place that it takes us all that is important,” he said.
“I understand and appreciate unionists need space and time to absorb what all this means. I would appeal for political leaders to respond carefully.
“The words of some in the past have fuelled sectarian violence against Catholics and this has been a particularly difficult summer.
“This initiative has opened up a new phase in Irish political life. This is not just about the peace process and conflict resolution. It is bigger than the question of arms.”
Mr Adams conceded that the IRA still existed, but refused to be drawn on whether he would find it acceptable if the organisation had kept back part of its arsenal to “defend” nationalist areas in the North.
He also called for progress on other issues such as prisoners and northern representation in the Oireachtas.
