The IRA decision to end its campaign represents a courageous and confident initiative and is a momentous defining point which heralds an "era of the nation builders", Gerry Adams said this afternoon.
Gerry Adams
The Sinn Féin president said it presented an unparalleled challenge and opportunity for every nationalist and republican.
He said the announcement removed "from unionists any excuse for non-engagement and said it was "a direct challenge" to the Democratic Unionist Party "to decide if they want to put the past behind them".
He warned that "history would not be kind to any government or any politician who plays politics" with today's announcement.
"There is an enormous responsibility on us to seize this moment and to make Irish freedom a reality. I would urge all Irish nationalists and republicans, including those who have shown such commitment as volunteers of the IRA, to put their undoubted talents and energy into building a new Ireland," Mr Adams said.
He said the British Government must urgently address demilitarisation, equality and human rights and the Irish Government must actively promote Irish unity. He said the statement could help revive the peace process but he warned that, in the short term, initiatives by the IRA were unlikely to change the attitude of their opponents in London and Dublin and within unionism.
"National liberation struggles can have different phases. There is a time to resist, to stand up and to confront the enemy by arms if necessary. In other words, there is a time for war. There is also a time to engage, to reach out, to put the war behind us all.
"There is a time for peace. There is a time for justice. There is a time for rebuilding. This is that time. This is the era of the nation builders."