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

Statement by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the publication of the Eleventh Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), (6 September 2006)

"This report clearly shows that Northern Ireland is changing for the better every day.

Security installations have been dismantled, troop numbers are falling and the way in which the police patrol across Northern Ireland has changed dramatically.

The report recognises both the dramatic changes that have been made to the security apparatus in Northern Ireland, and that these changes are commensurate with the threat and consistent with the Government's responsibility for public protection.

It also reaffirms the view that PIRA is committed to following a political path and that the leadership has taken a stand against criminality and engaged in successful dialogue to prevent violence during the parading season.

Clearly everyone in Northern Ireland is awaiting the IMC's next report on paramilitary activity but even without that report it is clear that a dramatic shift has occurred in the threat posed by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland.

This, in parallel with the recently peaceful parading season, offers up the genuine possibility of a Northern Ireland in which community policing without routine army support, jury trial and defortified police stations are the norm.

This is a great prize for the people of Northern Ireland and the Government will continue to meet its commitments to normalise security arrangements as long as the appropriate enabling environment exists."