The President, Mary McAleese, has welcomed the statement issued by the IRA earlier today.
She said she hoped it would lead to "a long-term, peaceful, respectful co-existence of this and all future generations on this island from every tradition and perspective".
In a statement from Áras an Uachtaráin the President said: "Today's statement by the IRA offers a real opportunity to build the trust and mutual understanding on which a just, equitable and peaceful future will rest.
"I hope that, in the interest of generations to come, this opportunity will now be well and wisely used.
"I would like to praise all those who have been working so hard to ensure an end to the tradition of armed struggle in Ireland and to promote a future in which there would be one tradition only and that is the tradition of democratic politics and peaceful persuasion," Ms McAleese said.
