IRA issue statement on peace process

The IRA has issued a statement this evening saying that following an internal discussion, it has reached a position on the peace process which will be given to the British and Irish governments.

There are renewed hopes of a breakthrough after the IRA statement was issued within the past few minutes.

The IRA statement this evening in the name of P. O'Neill says that following approaches from others, it had drawn up a statement on the status of its ceasefire, its future intentions, decommissioning and a third act of putting arms beyond use.

It had shared these views with others and had closed on a statement which would be passed to the two governments.

The IRA said it would be ready to issue the statement publicly in due course.

Republican sources say leaks from both the British and Irish governments in recent days have caused great anger amongst their ranks.