The leader of Fine Gael has called for the IRA to be disbanded in the wake of the news that they had begun the decommissioning process.
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Mr Michael Noonan
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"I think the outstanding business is to move from a situation where we have arms put beyond use to the standing down of those who have used the arms in the past," said Mr Michael Noonan.
"It is a contradiction in terms to have an army without arms. If arms are put beyond use it seems to me that there is no need for the IRA."
Mr Noonan said loyalist paramilitaries must now decommission in parallel.
He agreed that IRA decommissioning would help remove any doubt in the mind of those who believe Sinn Féin's association with the IRA meant they should not serve in government, adding that they may now return to serving in government in the Republic.
"The movement by the Republicans towards democracy is continuing and the movement has been significant," he said.
"They will be contesting the next (Republic) general election in many constituencies. I welcome that very much and I look forward to the day when Sinn Féin is a fully democratic party and when they have no military wing whatsoever."
He said Fine Gael was a primary example of a paramilitary group becoming democratic and entering into government.