A bill that extends the existing time-frame arrangements on decommissioning was passed in the House of Commons despite opposition from Tory and unionist MPs.
The Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning (Amendment) Bill will extend the existing amnesty on decommissioning, which expires on midnight February 26th next year, for one year.
There will be the possibility for further 12-month extensions each year for up to five years subject to parliamentary approval.
Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid said the government must provide the legal and democratic framework to make decommissioning a reality. But the Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr David Trimble, said Dr Reid had made "a very serious mistake" as the bill did not contain a target date to achieve decommissioning. He profoundly disagreed with Dr Reid's comments that deadlines did not work.
The Conservative shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Quentin Davies, condemmed the bill, saying it offered "open-ended" concessions to paramilitaries who had failed to deliver on substantial decommissioning".