Ceasefire monitor gets Commons approval

A new monitoring body for paramilitary ceasefires will be set up after legislation aimed at reviving the Northern Ireland peace process was rushed through the House of Commons last night.

The Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission) Bill was taken through all its stages in the Commons in one sitting after being pushed through the Lords in two days.

Commenting on the bill in parliament on Wednesday night, Security Minister Jane Kennedy said: "It is not difficult to talk the talk of peacemaking. It is much more difficult to walk the walk. Introducing the commission is an important step along the way towards achieving the peaceful outcome that I hope we all seek."

The commission's role will be to report on paramilitary activity from both the IRA and loyalists, to monitor how the Government is implementing its pledges to scale down military installations and to examine whether parties are faithfully and fully operating the institutions under the Good Friday Agreement.

It will comprise former Assembly Speaker Lord Alderdice, John Grieve who headed the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist unit, Joe Brosnan who worked in the Irish Department of Justice and former deputy director of the CIA in the US, Richard Kerr.

(MB)