ON Northern Ireland, the Liberal Democrats would work with the Irish Government to create agreement between as many of the constitutional parties as possible. Sinn Fein could be admitted into the talks process only if it signs up to the Mitchell principles and the IRA turns its back on terrorism.
Peace in the North depends on "containing" and "ultimately removing" the entrenched hostilities between the two main communities, and the manifesto states "we must remain vigilant and keep in place the present means for countering terrorism."
This would include establishing a power-sharing executive elected by proportional representation. The manifesto goes on to say: "We will press for a new constitutional settlement based on the protection of individual rights through a Bill of Rights, incorporating the European Convention." A Liberal Democrat government would introduce proportional representation for all elections in the North and reform local government.
An independent procedure would be introduced for investigating complaints against the security forces and would reform the Diplock system so that three judges, instead of one, preside over non-jury trials. It would "urgently" implement the North Report's recommendations for an independent commission to supervise parades and marches.