The IRA statement on the Belfast Agreement was raised by the leader of Democratic Left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa. While giving the agreement a guarded welcome, the statement warned that there would be no decommissioning of weapons.
Mr De Rossa asked: "In the light of the statement by the IRA, would the Taoiseach confirm that part and parcel of the agreement which was signed on Good Friday is a commitment that there would be decommissioning of all paramilitary weapons within two years of the endorsement of the agreement, North and South?"
Mr Ahern replied: "I refuse to comment on IRA statements, but in so far as the question relates to decommissioning, the section dealing with it is very clear in the document."
