Pat Doherty: "We were able to put together a package"

Interview on BBC TV's Newsnight Dur: 5'38"

Welcome for Sinn Fein's Ceasefire Recommendation

The Prime Minister of the Irish Republic, Bertie Ahern, has welcomed the development, however.

"I hope and trust that the response from the IRA will be positive, that we will be able to get back into a position of a ceasefire situation and plan and move on to all-party talks," he said. "We've been working day and night to try and achieve that and I hope it happens."

Sinn Fein's Vice President, Pat Doherty, provided some gloss to the statement from the party's President, Gerry Adams, and its chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness. He told BBC News that the removal of obstacles to his party's entry into talks had been crucial.

"That, allied to the attitude of this current Irish government, the SDLP and Irish Americans, we felt that there was collectively enough there that would empower Gerry and Martin to put a strong case to the IRA," he said.

Some Unionists claimed the statement proved the Government had made serious concessions to Sinn Fein.

Peter Robinson: "I would not believe the IRA"

"Why would the IRA not declare a ceasefire?" said the deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Peter Robinson. "They have got everything they have asked for.

"The British Government have made it very clear that Sinn Fein-IRA could enter the talks without giving up their violence, without giving up any weapons," he said. "Why on earth would the IRA not call a ceasefire in those circumstances?"

The leader of the bigger Ulster Unionist Party, David Trimble, also welcomed the statement, saying he hoped any ceasefire would be complete, universal and permanent. But he said it must be accompanied by the disarmament and disbandment of paramilitary organisations.

David Ervine: "Time will tell"

David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, which has close links to the UVF paramilitary group, was also positive.

"I'm not going to say 'I don't want an IRA ceasefire'," he said. "I do want an IRA ceasefire and I think that the ensuing days, weeks and months will indicate whether the IRA are real."

There were also reservations from the former Conservative Northern Ireland Minister, Michael Mates. "We've been here before and of course if the violence is going to stop we must welcome that for what it is," he said.

Michael Mates: Sceptical

"But I'm afraid the cynic in me says that Sinn Fein-IRA are doing this as a tactic. I mean if they wanted to give this new government a chance why didn't they call a ceasefire on the 2nd of May?" he added.

Speaking for the Liberal Democrats, Lord Holme said: "My main concern is whether the IRA and Sinn Fein are going to sign up to the Mitchell principles - which would mean permanent non-violence - or whether they are just going to say 'Look, we have got a ceasefire, now we get to come to the talks'."