§ 10. Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent meeting of the implementation group; and what the implications are for the future of the devolved institutions. [65808]
§ Dr. John ReidAt the implementation group on 26 June, and the meetings of the Northern Ireland parties with the Prime Minister and Taoiseach on 4 July, participants recognised the Belfast Agreement had brought great gains; but also that continuing violence and signs of paramilitary activity threaten community confidence. The Government agreed to reflect further on how best to address concerns about the necessary transition from violence to democracy. Before Parliament rises we will set out how we believe the necessary sense of confidence—which underpins the Agreement and the devolved institutions—can be restored.