Women's Coalition welcomes IRA statement

The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition has welcomed what it describes as further confirmation of the IRA's commitment to putting its arms beyond use.

Speaking after this morning's IRA statement, South Belfast MLA Professor Monica McWilliams emphasised the current process provided the best chance to achieve decommissioning.

She said political parties must focus on restoring stability in Northern Ireland, and working together towards resolving the remaining issues.

Members of Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, which formed in the spring of 1996, come from a variety of political traditions, including Unionist, Nationalist, Republican, Loyalist and some, which don't fit into any categories.

She said: "Any movement on the issue of arms is important. We welcome the IRA's statement as a further confirmation of their intention to put their weapons beyond use.

"We recognise the Good Friday Agreement provides the best opportunity to build a political system where guns have no part to play and the de Chastelain Commission provides the best, indeed the only, chance to bring about physical decommissioning."

She said the coalition is committed to working towards decommissioning but knows it won't happen overnight, although substantial progress has been made.

She added: "Political parties must focus on restoring stability in Northern Ireland, and working together towards resolution of the remaining issues. We encourage all players to look at what they can do to break the deadlock and move the situation forward."