DUP dismissive of IRA moves

The Democratic Unionist Party have welcomed the announcement of an election date but was dismissive of any moves by the IRA.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds predicted that today would see a series of “stunts” designed to bolster the Good Friday Agreement.

However he warned that those stunts would not pay off at the election.

“We will be going into the election confident,” the former Stormont Social Development Minister said.

“We are a strong party, a united party and I think our stance in terms of the policies and in terms of our analysis in the Belfast agreement process has been solid.

“What we will see today is a series of stunts designed to prop up David Trimble, to try and give him a leg up in the process but the reality is that people have seen what has gone on over the past five years and are waiting to give their verdict.”

Northern Ireland talk sources have said the most important element of today's choreography would be General John de Chastelain's confirmation of an IRA decommissioning act.

Unionists have been critical of the way the IRA has carried out its two previous acts of disarmament in the Canadian general’s presence.

“People need confidence that this process will not be held up to ridicule,” the source said.