Representatives of Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party continued talks on a power-sharing proposal which seemed to show promise but hit a roadblock, partly because of the IRA shadow.

The British and Irish governments however now say they are satisfied with Wednesday's independent report which found the IRA's army council serves no function, the BBC reported.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the report would "provide reassurance and hope for everybody who wants to see this chapter of Northern Ireland's history closed."

Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland's first minister and the DUP leader, said the IRA is "out of business for good."

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the IRA issue has been dealt with and "is gone."