Speeches

Vernon Coaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-12-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made in establishing the four-member international body to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

The establishment of a new body to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity is a commitment in the Fresh Start Agreement. The Agreement provides that the new body will be established by the UK Government and the Irish Government. My officials are engaging with Irish Government officials on a treaty to establish the new body. The key provisions of that treaty will then be given legal effect in the UK through the passage of legislation at Westminster.