Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to request that the British Government rein in their so-called security services; and the position in relation to the peace process. [38425/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The 1999 Patten report recommended as part of the restructuring of policing in Northern Ireland that security work be integrated with the task of investigating crime. I am pleased to say that the independent oversight commissioner has expressed satisfaction at the manner in which this and other related changes have been put into effect. In this regard, the commissioner stated in his September 2005 report that, as far as the police is concerned, "oversight of covert law enforcement is sound".

The Government is also aware of proposals for changes in Northern Ireland in the area of national security with effect from 2007. It has sought further information about these changes through the British-Irish intergovernmental secretariat. The Government has emphasised the importance of public accountability in any new arrangements, in line with the recommendations of the Patten report. This is also of particular relevance in the context of proposals for the future devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

As regards the peace process generally, the Deputy will be aware that there have been significant positive developments in recent months. The IRA statement of 28 July which announced an end to its armed campaign, and the report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning on 26 September confirming that the IRA had put all of its weapons beyond use, were important and necessary steps towards the restoration of trust and confidence in the process.

The Government is firmly committed to restoring political momentum and is actively engaged with the British Government and with political parties to build on these positive developments. Most recently, I met the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, on 14 and 24 November in Hillsborough, where we jointly held a series of "stocktaking" meetings with political parties. These meetings complemented the bilateral meetings which both Governments have had with the political parties in recent weeks.

My meetings with the Secretary of State were a useful opportunity for a comprehensive exchange of views on current issues in the peace process and on how we could best make progress in the coming months. Our discussions with the parties were constructive and covered a broad range of issues, including the prospects for restoration of devolved institutions. Our primary purpose was to listen to the views of the parties and to take stock of the issues which need to be addressed in order to advance the process in the period ahead.

I stress the Government's determination to take concrete steps towards the restoration of devolved Government in Northern Ireland at the earliest opportunity next year. To this end, the Taoiseach and I will have further discussions later this month with Prime Minister Blair and Secretary of State Hain, respectively. The findings of the next report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, which is due to be submitted to the Governments in January, will also be important in that context.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to request that the British Government disband all Unionist paramilitaries and other instruments of their own creation. [38426/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In the course of the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement, political parties in Northern Ireland accepted the principles set out in the report of the international body chaired by Senator George Mitchell, including the commitment to democratic and exclusively peaceful means of resolving political disputes, as well as the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations. As part of the Good Friday Agreement, the participants reaffirmed the commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations.

In an important development the two Governments on 26 September 2005 received the report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning confirming that the commission had overseen the completion of IRA decommissioning. While welcoming this development, both Governments made clear that this should be followed by the complete cessation of loyalist paramilitary activity, and the decommissioning of loyalist arms. It was indicated that there was no place for illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland, and that the loyalist groups should re-engage with the IICD.

In this context, I welcomed the announcement on 31 October that the LVF had stood down and called on them to engage with the IICD. I also welcome the reports of recent contacts between the UDA and the IICD. The Government has repeatedly called on loyalist paramilitary groups to build on this historic opportunity to bring a speedy end to paramilitary activity and to decommission fully. The Government has also urged the leaders of the political parties to use their influence to this end.

More generally, the Government welcomes recent indications of an openness to change within the loyalist community and reiterates its readiness to work constructively with those committed to tackling through peaceful means the real needs of their communities.