Irish and UK politicians will assess and debate the St Andrews Agreement for the first time when they meet in Belfast for the first time next week. The politicians will meet in plenary session of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, will deliver the keynote address on behalf of the British government next Monday. He will then participate in a questions and answers session with members immediately afterwards.
Before that on Monday, the Inter-Parliamentary Body will debate several motions, including the motion that the body welcomes the St Andrews Agreement of October 13th last and commends the two governments and the political parties for their efforts to restore the political institutions and restore devolution for the people of Northern Ireland.
It will also debate the motion that it welcomes the position as set out in the agreement that support for policing and the rule of law should be extended to every part of the community; and that such support included endorsing the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the criminal justice system, encouraging the community to co-operate with the police in tackling crime; and actively supporting all the policing and criminal justice institutions including the Policing Board.
It will also debate the motion that the body notes that the political parties have been asked to consider the agrement carefully between now and November 10th.
The motion that it reiterates the importance of this opportunity to establish a devolved power-sharing government for the benefit of the whole community will also be debated.