Trimble welcomes decommissioning confirmation

David Trimble has welcomed the decommissioning body's confirmation that the IRA had put a quantity of its guns and explosives beyond use.

The Ulster Unionist leader said: "We were told this day would never happen…but it has happened."

Mr Trimble admitted the move was 'quite significant' and that there was finally 'evidence that there is commitment by the Republicans'.

The former First Minister said that he and his party remained committed to the Good Friday Agreement.

He added: "I hope that what has happened today will be parallelled by loyalist paramilitaries."

Mr Trimble's comments follow today's statement by the IRA that it has begun decommissioning.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have both welcomed the news.