The British government remains committed to the June target date for the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.
In the House of Commons yesterday, the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, confirmed that June remained the target date "for the achievement of all the steps necessary to achieve the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement".
His clarification came after the tabling of a government Order on Tuesday night extending the immunities provided by law for persons engaged in decommissioning processes in conjunction with the International Decommissioning Commission. The immunities had been due to expire on May 19th.
During what was possibly the last Northern Ireland question time of the present parliament, Conservative Mr Andrew Mackay criticised the government for granting an "amnesty" to escapers from the Maze Prison.