Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has said MI5 can't be trusted to give an independent analysis of the IRA.

He has dismissed last month's report by the British intelligence agency, saying some of the people are the same who “who directed agents and informers and paramilitary organisations that killed hundreds of citizens, including citizens in this city with the Dublin-Monaghan bombs and stirred sectarian violence and colluded in murder.”

“The very people – in MI5 and in the old guard of the RUC - who produced the recent report, have also brought in a veto to stop the families of victims of British terrorism from getting the truth about what happened to their loved ones,” he added.

“They are prepared to put the peace and political processes at risk in an effort to stop the growth of Sinn Féin north and south. These are the people some in this Dáil choose to believe; probably for the same reason.”

However other party leaders have looked to ridicule Sinn Féin over the finding that IRA members believe the party is controlled by the Army Council.

Labour's Joan Burton says that claim is a matter for serious concern.

“It asks fundamental questions of our democracy if a party that is in govt in the north and aspires to be the govt in the south continues to operate in this way. 

“I mean, it’s vote Sinn Féin and get the army council. There has to be a break from all forms of paramilitarism and criminality,” the Tánaiste said.

The Taoiseach said Sinn Fein's claims that the IRA has gone away are "not credible".

Enda Kenny refuted Mr Adams’ assertion that an MI5 analysis could not be trusted.

The Taoiseach was happy to accept MI5's findings and dismiss claims that the IRA has disappeared.

“We have become used to incredible statements about past activity, current activity, murder, robbery and child abuse,” he said.

“There may have been a time when living with constructive ambiguity helped the peace process, but that time has now passed.”