UK And Irish Govts To Sign Agreement To Establish Independent Body

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade are to sign an agreement today, 13 September, to establish an independent body to report on paramilitaries in NI.

James Brokenshire and Charlie Flanagan will sign the agreement to set up the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) which will have an important role in the work to bring an end to the remaining vestiges of para-militarism in Northern Ireland.

They will also discuss a range of NI issues including the need to reach agreement on the institutions dealing with the legacy of the past and the challenges posed by a UK exit from the EU.

Minister Flanagan said: "I look forward to meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire MP, on his first official visit to Dublin and to building on our initial positive engagements.

"This is another landmark day for Northern Ireland as we will be signing, on behalf of our respective governments, the international agreement to establish the Independent Reporting Commission. This is an important step in implementing the Fresh Start Agreement provisions to eliminate para-militarism and tackle organised crime.

"In our talks, we will be discussing the crucial work on dealing with the legacy of the past. This will include discussions on how the ongoing efforts to reach agreement on establishing the Stormont House Institutions can be stepped up and brought to successful conclusion.

"I will also reiterate to the Secretary of State the need to address the All-Party Dáil motion on the Dublin Monaghan bombings."

Mr Brokenshire said: "There was never any justification for paramilitary groups, there is none today and there will not be in the future.

"The IRC provides for an independent review of progress towards disbanding paramilitary groups which continue to blight our society.

"For generations, paramilitary activity wrecked lives in Northern Ireland, and for many people the repercussions continue."

(CD/JP)