07/01/2004
Ceasefire monitoring commission up and running
The Independent Monitoring Commission, which will report on the ceasefire status of paramilitary organisations every six months, has become operational today.
The four-man strong body was set up in shadow form by the British and Irish Government's last year in an effort to bring about the restoration of devolution following allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at Stormont in October 2002.
The body, which comprises former CIA chief, Richard Kerr; former head of the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist squad, Commander John Grieve; former Alliance leader, Lord Alderdice, and retired Irish civil servant, Joe Brosnan, will also scrutinise the government's programme of demilitarisation and complaints about political tactics which threaten the stability of the devolved institutions.
However, the introduction of the new body is not proving welcome among certain sections of the Northern Ireland political spectrum.
While the Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance support the introduction of the body, the SDLP and Sinn Féin have been less than enthusiastic.
"The International Monitoring Commission which comes into effect today is completely outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and will be used as a smokescreen to justify arbitrary acts of exclusion by the British government," South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Alex Maskey said.
"Many nationalists are angered by the fact that the two governments have proceeded with this measure which is outside the terms of the Agreement while choosing to stall on their commitments across a range of issues including policing, demiltarisation, human rights and equality."
The commission arose out of discussions on the joint declaration earlier this year involving London and Dublin and the political parties.
(MB)
The four-man strong body was set up in shadow form by the British and Irish Government's last year in an effort to bring about the restoration of devolution following allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at Stormont in October 2002.
The body, which comprises former CIA chief, Richard Kerr; former head of the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist squad, Commander John Grieve; former Alliance leader, Lord Alderdice, and retired Irish civil servant, Joe Brosnan, will also scrutinise the government's programme of demilitarisation and complaints about political tactics which threaten the stability of the devolved institutions.
However, the introduction of the new body is not proving welcome among certain sections of the Northern Ireland political spectrum.
While the Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance support the introduction of the body, the SDLP and Sinn Féin have been less than enthusiastic.
"The International Monitoring Commission which comes into effect today is completely outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and will be used as a smokescreen to justify arbitrary acts of exclusion by the British government," South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Alex Maskey said.
"Many nationalists are angered by the fact that the two governments have proceeded with this measure which is outside the terms of the Agreement while choosing to stall on their commitments across a range of issues including policing, demiltarisation, human rights and equality."
The commission arose out of discussions on the joint declaration earlier this year involving London and Dublin and the political parties.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 September 2003
Paisley slams Independent Monitoring Body proposals
DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley has slammed proposals for an Independent Monitoring Body describing it as "nothing more than another attempt to rescue David Trimble from the great difficulty he now finds himself in".
Paisley slams Independent Monitoring Body proposals
DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley has slammed proposals for an Independent Monitoring Body describing it as "nothing more than another attempt to rescue David Trimble from the great difficulty he now finds himself in".
12 September 2022
Govt Urged To 'Get Back To The Table' For Talks With EU
Sinn Féin have urged the British government to "get back to the table and enter in talks in good faith" with the EU to provide certainty for businesses here.
Govt Urged To 'Get Back To The Table' For Talks With EU
Sinn Féin have urged the British government to "get back to the table and enter in talks in good faith" with the EU to provide certainty for businesses here.
04 November 2008
Public Consultation On New Belfast Waste Site
Belfast City Council has urged members of the public, and the local business community, to express their views on a proposal to transfer land to arc21 to site a new waste treatment facility on the North Foreshore.
Public Consultation On New Belfast Waste Site
Belfast City Council has urged members of the public, and the local business community, to express their views on a proposal to transfer land to arc21 to site a new waste treatment facility on the North Foreshore.
19 July 2005
Former RTE D-G is new chief of Equality Commission
The Secretary of State Peter Hain has confirmed the appointment of Bob Collins as the new Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission. A former Director-General of RTE, Mr Collins will succeed Dame Joan Harbinson who retires at the end of July.
Former RTE D-G is new chief of Equality Commission
The Secretary of State Peter Hain has confirmed the appointment of Bob Collins as the new Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission. A former Director-General of RTE, Mr Collins will succeed Dame Joan Harbinson who retires at the end of July.
04 September 2003
Ex-CIA director to monitor paramilitary activity
Secretary of State, Paul Murphy today announced plans by the British and Irish Government's to help restore devolution in Northern Ireland. Among the plans laid out by Mr Murphy on Thursday was the establishment of a new Independent Monitoring Commission which will report on the IRA and loyalist ceasefires every six months.
Ex-CIA director to monitor paramilitary activity
Secretary of State, Paul Murphy today announced plans by the British and Irish Government's to help restore devolution in Northern Ireland. Among the plans laid out by Mr Murphy on Thursday was the establishment of a new Independent Monitoring Commission which will report on the IRA and loyalist ceasefires every six months.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.