The British government's long-awaited Northern Ireland Bill was published today and provides for the devolution of policing and justice.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain said the Bill ensures there would no legal impediment to the restoration of power sharing in the North.
"This Bill is enabling legislation that covers a number of issues that, should the desire and the will present us with restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly, then the legislative powers would already be in place to drive a successful Northern Ireland forward," Mr Hain said.
Although the Bill makes provision for devolution, it does not automatically transfer power in the event power-sharing is restored. An Assembly motion with cross-community support for the assumption of powers would be required.
The bill allows for the Secretary of State to call a snap Assembly election if there is a political agreement this year - rather than wait until the currently fixed date of May 2007.
Other provisions in the Bill include an extension of the amnesty period offered for the decommissioning of weapons by paramilitary groups from February 2007 to February 2010.
The rules on donations to political parties are tightened, mainly by aligning them with those for the rest of the United Kingdom and making the process more transparent.
At the same time they recognise the special position of the Northern Ireland political culture by allowing donations from Irish citizens and organisations if they meet certain criteria.
The Bill also amends existing legislation and increases from £2 billion to £3 billion the limit on the amount a Stormont Executive can borrow.
It also allows the Secretary of State, with Treasury consent, to increase the limit by up to £500 million.
The bill also paves the way for an all-Ireland electricity market and facilitates the funding of sustainable energy development.
Additional reporting PA