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On Tuesday, Sinn Féin and the IRA demonstrated the driving force behind the peace process and acted again to push it forward, with highly significant words and deeds. David Trimble saw fit to renege on his commitment, however, and jumped ship when it was his turn to make a reciprocal commitment to the process.

Deal stalled as Trimble reneges

Disarray and disappointment were precipitated after a sequence of agreed events and statements designed to provide a positive context within which to hold the forthcoming northern elections were inexplicably ditched by Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble on Tuesday.

Photo: Bairbre de Brún, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Conor Murphy pictured at a news conference after Trimble reneged

Spin, hype and hope - and that's just from the papers

When journalists and photographers wake up to a 7am announcement of an election date, there can be no denying the palpable buzz of excitement this creates. And when this happened on Tuesday and more of the day's events began to unfold, it did indeed look as though front pages the following day would read along the lines of 'Historic Tuesday for the North'.

Photo: Newspaper coverage of the day's events

Sinn Féin is in this process to the finish - Adams

The following is the full text of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams' keynote speech on the Peace Process in the Balmoral Hotel on Tuesday morning.

Photo: Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams accurately reflects our position - IRA

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann released a statement on Tuesday welcoming the speech made by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, saying it accurately reflected the army's position. Later in the day, the IRA released a second statement, confirming that it had completed a further act of putting arms beyond use.

Confidence cannot be built without political will

Speaking during statements on the Peace Process on Wednesday, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that what had happened the day before was a failure of political will on the part of David Trimble and the Ulster Unionist Party.

US representatives express regret at Trimble's actions

In statements issued following the breakdown of the progress towards agreement, US Senator Chris Dodd expressed regret at the actions of David Trimble and urged that the elections proceed as scheduled. Congressman Richard Neal, Co-chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs said it was now up to the Ulster Unionists to demonstrate their commitment to the democratic process.

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