The struggle had reached a 'defining moment' said Mr Adams

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams' call on the IRA to "accept democratic means" has prompted a mixed reaction from key figures across the political spectrum.

Here are some of their comments.

"Nothing less than a complete and decisive end to all IRA activity and capability will be acceptable if there is to be any prospect of achieving inclusive politics in Northern Ireland.

"The only way forward is through peaceful and democratic means.

"It is vital that the IRA's consultations be concluded in a timely manner and that everyone will know that the necessary steps have been taken, that they will be adhered to and that the IRA is thus moving on.

"For so many years we have had false dawns and dashed hopes."

"Obviously the key will be what the IRA does as a result, and it's on that that any final judgment must be made.

"But we hope this represents the way forward for republicanism because the only way forward is through exclusively peaceful and democratic means."

"It is an insult to democrats what he is saying and no-one will be taken in. I don't think there is any hope for Sinn Fein and the IRA.

"There must be a complete and total abandonment of IRA/Sinn Fein and that's not going to happen.

"The DUP won't be back in any negotiating table. He (Gerry Adams) has put himself outside the arena.

"It is all over. There is no place in any democracy for terrorists and no place for IRA/Sinn Fein."

"Republicans made a promise to Ulster Unionists in May 2000 that they would disarm completely and in a manner to maximise public confidence.

"They also promised in that statement to pursue their objectives peacefully and democratically. These promises were not kept.

"If republicans wish to be included in talks then they must rebuild their credibility by doing all the things they should have done and present themselves as a purely peaceful democratic movement with no private army."

"We don't know whether this statement is sincere.

"It is, after all, made in the run-up to an election and is loaded with self-serving versions of recent history.

"It may well just be a device for easing the pressure that Sinn Fein has been coming under on the doorstep.

"That's why it is action from the IRA that counts - not words from Sinn Fein."

"The speech is basically a reiteration, albeit in even stronger language than before, that their armed struggle should end and the IRA move into a new phase of activity.

"However, it fails to address the key questions as to whether republicans are prepared to accept the same common standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as everyone else on the island of Ireland.

"Do republicans accept that it is no longer legitimate for them to run a private army or police force in competition to either the northern or southern state?

"Do they accept that a crime is a crime, even when IRA activists have committed it?"

"People need to see evidence that the Republican Movement has changed for good. That means an end to republican involvement in crime.

"It means Sinn Fein should support the police. It means the end of the IRA as an active paramilitary organisation and the decommissioning of illegally held guns and explosives."

"What Mr Adams is asking of the paramilitary movement will not be easy for some. But it is clearly the right thing to do and I would hope that they will be able to respond in the very short term.

"Many of us have invested a great deal of time and effort in the process and the ball is in the paramilitaries' court to make the next moves towards making a peaceful Northern Ireland a reality."