SF play down arms find

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has played down suggestions that an alleged Provisional IRA arms cache uncovered by police in Belfast over the weekend could have a significant impact on the peace process.

The find in south Belfast included an automatic weapon, handguns, bomb components and ammunition.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in Dublin today, Mr Adams said: "First of all, I don't know if it is an IRA arms dump. There obviously are arms dumps out there, but the arms aren't being used. I think this is a significant factor. I don't think we should get into a tizzy over this.

"The challenge is for politicians to get this process back on the rails and, among other things, to get all of the arms put beyond use."