It would be extremely difficult to argue that Tony Blair displayed an aggressive attitude towards republicans while speaking at Downing Street yesterday.
He recognised the contribution of republican leaders to the political process, and said that a breakthrough which would allow the restoration of our devolved structures was almost within reach.
However, he also spelt out three key issues which it was up to the IRA, and only the IRA, to resolve.
In doing so, Mr Blair apparently quoted directly from the so far unpublished IRA statement which was forwarded to the Dublin and London governments earlier this month.
He asked whether, if the IRA maintained that its 'strategies and disciplines' would not be inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement, that meant an end to all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement, including the targeting of individuals, the procurement of weapons and so-called punishment beatings?
Mr Blair wanted to know whether, when the IRA said it was committed to putting arms beyond use through the decommissioning commission, this meant all arms so that the process would be complete?
Finally, when the IRA said it supported the Good Friday Agreement and wanted it to work, and the two governments and the other parties fulfilled their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and the joint declaration, Mr Blair asked if all that meant the complete and final closure of the conflict?
These were all reasonable questions, which deserve meaningful answers as quickly as possible.
In various speeches over the Easter period, republican figures have declared that they will not be forced into following a unionist agenda and are not prepared to use the terminology of what they called British 'securocrats'.
This is a familiar position, but it is essential to stress that the most compelling pressure for movement on the part of the IRA is coming from not only Mr Blair but also Bertie Ahern and the vast majority of nationalists on both sides of the border.
Targeting individuals, obtaining weapons and engaging in so-called punishment beatings are activities which are totally incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement.
If further arms are to be put beyond use, we are fully entitled to know if this covers all the guns and bombs of the IRA or just a portion of its arsenal.
Ordinary people, including many grassroots republicans, already know that the IRA's campaign is effectively over, and it is appropriate that a form of words confirming this reality should be produced.
Unionists also have to deliver on their own responsibilities, but it is inevitable that the spotlight will remain firmly on republicans over the coming days.
In essence, the response offered to Mr Blair from the IRA will dictate whether we face progress or stalemate for the foreseeable future.
Republicans have come a long way over the last decade, and their choice should now be clear.
