The IRA has said it is "committed to a resolution of the issue of arms" and has called on Tony Blair to take responsibility for achieving it.

The IRA's new year statement came as Irish and British officials prepare for more talks aimed at ending the impasse on RUC reform, demilitarisation and disarmament. As well as the implementation of the Patten RUC reforms, the IRA called for the dismantling of military surveillance posts in south Armagh and assurances that republicans wanted for questioning about terrorist acts will not be prosecuted.Meanwhile the Real IRA have vowed to fight on until every level of British rule is removed from Ireland. The statement was seen as a warning that bomb attacks in Northern Ireland and the British mainland are set to continue.