Republicans press for favourable political context

Republican sources in the North have said the political context in which the IRA could make major moves towards decommissioning and ending paramilitary activity does not exist.

The sources said the IRA is prepared to live up to its commitments, but only if the political context needed to fully implement the Good Friday Agreement is created.

Without stability and further changes to policing and other issues, they said, there will be no significant movement from the IRA.