Peter Hain wants actions from IRA, not just words

Peter Hain said a lot of progress has been made recently and there had been a marked improvement towards reaching a peaceful marching season.

However, he said that both sides need to keep working towards ending violence.

Mr Hain says he is confident an IRA statement would come but there needed to be action as well as words.

"The important point there after is that we actually get a closing down of activity on the ground," Mr Hain said.

"Right across the communities that is what people are expecting.

"The punishment beatings, the targeting, the intelligence gathering, let alone the capacity to let off bombs or shoot bullets, that all of that activity is in the past."

The IRA has been conducting an "internal debate" since Gerry Adams called for it to "embrace democracy".