The impact of an Assembly motion calling for Sinn Fein to be removed from the power-sharing executive could be dampened as a British newspaper this morning reports the IRA are on the verge of a second act of decommissioning.
Anti-Belfast Agreement unionists will today demand the exclusion of Sinn Fein ministers from the power-sharing Executive during a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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Ulster Unionist party leader Mr David Trimble
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The debate comes just days before Saturday's Ulster Unionist AGM, leading to accusations that it is a blatant attempt to embarrass party leader Mr David Trimble.
But a report in today's Timesnewspaper claims the IRA is about to decommission more arms. The paper says "well-placed sources" are indicating a imminent move designed to boost Sinn Fein's chances in the upcoming general election in the Republic.
The paper says both security and republican sources saying the move move may already have happened and that an announcement is likely next week. The republican source suggested the announcement may coincide with a visit to the US by Sinn Fein’s Mr Gerry Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness.
Meanwhile, Mr Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party has collected the 30 signatures necessary to call an extraordinary meeting on the basis that republicans have not lived up to their obligations on decommissioning.
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Sinn Fein’s Mr Martin McGuinness.
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As with previous attempts, the move is almost certainly doomed to fail as it will not garner the cross community support necessary to eject Sinn Fein from government.
Earlier this week Mr Trimble angrily accused his DUP rivals of a political stunt, adding the motion was clearly timed to coincide with the annual meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council.
"The sole reason for this activity is just a stunt with regard to the annual meeting of our party. If the people who put the motion in were serious, they wouldn't be sitting sharing power with Sinn Fein," the UUP leader said.
The Ulster Unionists will meet this morning to decide whether to participate. The SDLP are putting up one speaker, believed to be Finance Minister Mr Sean Farren.
A Sinn Fein source said the party would monitor the debate but had no plans to contribute.
Additional reporting PA