The IRA could be transformed into a harmless "old boys' organisation" association to advance the Northern Ireland peace process, Conservative leader David Cameron claimed today.
David Cameron talks to PSNI recruits during a visit to the Police training College of Northern Ireland
The Tory chief also urged Sinn Féin to fully embrace Ulster's police service after he received a security briefing in Belfast.
Mr Cameron, who held talks with Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde at the city's police training college, said republican support would pave the way to a power-sharing coalition being restored at Stormont.
With the policing issue central to the St Andrews Agreement which London and Dublin hope the political parties will endorse by the November 24th devolution deadline, he insisted Sinn Féin had to join the Policing Board and offer full support to the force.
Mr Cameron also emphasised the need for the IRA to remain crime and violence free.
"One would prefer if the whole organisation went away, but as Ian Paisley said, if it became an old boys' organisation that would be acceptable," he said. "What matters is that the IRA stops all forms of law breaking, and what matters is that Sinn Féin joins the Policing Board. Then we have the real prospect of power-sharing devolution coming back again."
Mr Cameron is due to meet the sisters of IRA murder victim Robert McCartney at their home in Belfast later today.
The father of two (33) was stabbed to death outside a Belfast city centre bar in January 2005. His family blamed republicans for the murder and a cover-up to protect the killers.
At the time the IRA claimed it had expelled three of its members over their involvement, and even offered to shoot those responsible. But although one man has been charged in connection with the murder, the McCartney family suspects up to 15 took part in her brother's brutal death.
With the Tories' strengthened support in the polls leading them to believe Mr Cameron could be swept to power at the next election, the family has been keen to put its case to him.
Catherine McCartney said: "In terms of the investigation there's been little progress despite nearly two years of campaigning. So, given that it seems we are going to be around for a number of years he could be the next prime minister. We are not complacent that this will all end in the next year or two, so David Cameron could become an important player."