Governments call for end to NI paramilitary activity

At today's British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Farmleigh, Dublin, the two governments re-affirmed their desire to see…

At today's British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Farmleigh, Dublin, the two governments re-affirmed their desire to see an end to all paramilitary activity and the early restoration of the power-sharing executive.

Both sides emphasised the need for all parties to commit to a fundamental accomodation on the key outstanding issues as identified in the governments' joint statement of  June 25th.

Both governments welcomed the orderly and peaceful marching season to date and commended all those involved in seeking to defuse tensions arising from contentious parades.

In relation to the Cory reports, both governments discussed progress in their respective jurisdictions and the Irish side reiterated its view that the British Government should establish a public inquiry into the Pat Finucane case as soon as possible.

The Irish Government was represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr  McDowell,  and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr  Kitt.

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The Conference agreed to meet again in the early autumn.

Reviewing progress since the Joint Declaration, the conference noted a number of initiatives including the publication of a consultation document on the Single Equality Bill and the recruitment process which is currently underway for commissioners in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.