'IMC report paves way for setting up of executive': Hain

02/05/2006 - 18:08:25
Northern Secretary Peter Hain said today there is "no reason whatsoever" now for the parties in the North not to proceed towards the establishment of an Executive.

Last week, the Independent Monitoring Commission said republicans were living up to their promises by not engaging in illegal activities.

Mr. Hain said the IMC Report paves the way for a new start in the North and shows how much progress is being made.

“Not only huge, momentous progress on the closing down of paramilitary activity and intelligence gathering and all the other capabilities that have been associated with the IRA in the past, but also a substantial lead in eliminating criminality,” he said.