The Independent Monitoring Commission gave its latest report on the level of paramilitary activity to the Irish and British governments yesterday, as Ministers prepare for yet another attempt to move closer to the restoration of the North's power-sharing institutions.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell confirmed last night that the governments had received the report from the IMC. It is believed to say that the IRA has been observing its commitment to end all activity, given in its statement of July 28th.
The report from the four-member commission is expected to state that the IRA appears to have ceased a wide range of paramilitary operations while stressing that too little time has elapsed to make a definitive judgment on IRA activity.
The Cabinet is expected to get details of the report and to discuss it at its weekly meeting next Tuesday. Mr McDowell said yesterday that arrangements were being made to lay the report before the Oireachtas. This is expected to happen next Wednesday, and the report will be simultaneously made public.
Also next Wednesday Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will have talks with Northern Secretary Peter Hain on a series of discussions with the North's political parties between now and Christmas.
These aim to narrow the gap between unionist and nationalist politicians on issues such as the composition of the policing board and the Parades Commission, and other matters which could delay a deal in the North.
This latest IMC report is seen as interim. The governments and the North's political parties consider the next report, due in January, as providing crucial testament to the veracity of the IRA's commitment to end all activity and its assertion that it has disposed of all weapons.
If that report confirms the IRA has remained inactive, the governments are determined to try to reach a deal to restore the power-sharing executive in spring. But they have considerable doubt over the commitment of the DUP and Sinn Féin to doing a deal in the short term, whatever the IMC says.