Significant damage has been caused to the Northern Ireland peace process by what Sinn Féin described today as the 'arrest' of the process by Unionists over the decommissioning issue.
In an interview on RTE's This Weekradio programme, the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, said Unionists have not given a credible explanation for last Tuesday's decision to seek further detail about an act of decommissioning by the IRA before moving forward.
According to Mr Adams, until unionists accept and endorse the international decommissioning body run by General John de Chastelain, difficulties would remain.
This body had to be allowed to do its work, according to Mr Adams.