The IRA must disband before a deal can be struck to restore Northern Ireland's political institutions, Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley said today.
His comments came as the North's political parties returned to Stormont for preparatory discussions ahead of intensive negotiations at Leeds Castle in Kent, in two weeks.
Emerging from talks with Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, Dr Paisley called on the Government to deal with the arms issue once and for all. "All these other matters, essential as they may be if we are going to have proper devolution in Northern Ireland, cannot be discussed properly until we know that the rubbish has been removed," he added.
Dr Paisley, who has just returned to politics after a period of illness, said the DUP would stand by its mandate not to enter government with Sinn Féin without the end of the IRA. He ruled out any face to face negotiations with republicans until this takes place. "There will be no talks until the IRA has disbanded and Sinn Fein ceases to carry on its alignment with IRA."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams described Dr Paisley's remarks as regrettable and said his party wanted to secure a deal. "Whatever the DUP's stance, we, as everyone else who lives on this island, have the right to equality.
"We know that Paisleyism represents that aspect of unionism which is against the type of changes which are required," he said. "The big challenge for the DUP would be to start to talk to Sinn Fein and then we can start taking these matters seriously."
Mr Murphy said he believed Northern Ireland's politicians were serious about clinching a deal to restore the power-sharing Assembly. "There is no question in my mind that all political parties in Northern Ireland really do want devolution back and the ability to run their own affairs."
Ulster Unionist senior negotiator Sir Reg Empey said his party would be focusing on the need for IRA decommissioning before power-sharing can be restored. The UUP, who had refused to take part in a review of the Agreement, agreed to meet Mr Murphy at Stormont today. UUP leader Mr David Trimble was not present but will lead the party's talks team at Leeds Castle.
Sir Reg said there was no point to the Leeds Castle talks unless the Prime Minister was satisfied that there would be an end to paramilitarism. "There is no point in going over for a spin operation. There is no point in going over for further play acting," he said.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said today it was essential a deal on restoring devolution was made before the British general election next year. "I don't go with any of this talk that you can put it off to the other side of the elections," he said.
Speaking in Dublin, he said it was unrealistic to wait until then, pointing out that apart from the election, the UK would be holding the presidency of the European Union from January next. Mr Ahern also said that his government was opposed to any changes to the system of electing Northern Ireland's first and deputy first minister.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen, also held talks with the parties this afternoon. Tomorrow, the discussions held jointly by Mr Murphy and Mr Cowen will deal with north/south and east/west relationships.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said the aim was to achieve as much common ground before the parties travel to Leeds Castle on September 16th to 18th for talks involving the Taoiseach Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Downing Street confirmed today the two leaders would be meeting in advacne of these talks.