Statement by Bertie Ahern on the on the publication of the Eleventh Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), (6 September 2006)

Statement by Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), on the publication of the Eleventh Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), (6 September 2006)

"I welcome today's report of the IMC.

The security situation in Northern Ireland is becoming progressively normalized and the assessment on the IRA continues to be positive. An enormous transformation has taken place in recent years.

We have had a peaceful and calm summer. This has been the result of a lot of work by a lot of people, working in the interests of all.

I welcome the work on preparation for government that has been done throughout the summer. I hope that this good work can provide the basis for reaching overall agreement on the restoration of the institutions.

It has been clear for some time that this Autumn will determine the shape of Northern Ireland politics for some considerable time to come. The period ahead will be decisive. It will demand leadership. All parties must play their part.

We want to see agreement on devolution over the coming weeks and we firmly believe it is achievable. The last remaining steps can and must therefore be taken. The outstanding issues are very few indeed. They are well capable of being resolved. Northern Ireland must move on. Real politics and genuine partnership have to be the way forward.

The Governments have set a deadline of 24 November. This is a considered, reasonable and serious deadline.

Our aim is to secure agreement within this timeframe. We will do everything we can to help achieve this.

In the meantime, the two Governments are also continuing their work on new Partnership Arrangements to ensure our effective joint stewardship of the Good Friday Agreement in the event that devolution does not take place by 24 November."