Minister Dermot Ahern Welcomes Completion of Demilitarisation Programme in Northern Ireland

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., today  welcomed the announced completion by the British Government of the two-year programme of security normalisation in Northern Ireland.

The Minister said, “This is a further significant step towards the realisation of a normal, peaceful, and prosperous society in Northern Ireland.”

“After 38 years, military operations in Northern Ireland are over.  Troop numbers have been enormously reduced, watchtowers are gone, army patrols have ended.  All joint military-PSNI bases have been closed.”

“The change in the political and security reality of Northern Ireland since the normalisation programme came into effect in 2005 has been even more dramatic than we could have hoped.  This has been recognised by the decision to close four further military bases by April next year. “

“We will continue to discuss the scope for further normalisation measures with the British Government in the period ahead.”

“Against this background and as we look forward to the devolution of justice and security next year, continued paramilitary activity must be brought quickly to a final end and full decommissioning delivered.”

END

Note for Editors: 

The security normalisation programme was first outlined with the Joint Declaration of the two Governments in 2003.  An updated programme came into effect in July 2005, following the IRA statement ending their armed campaign. 

The normalisation programme was conducted over three phases finishing on 31 July 2007.   It included commitments by the British Government to the removal of the 10 security watchtowers in use in July 2005, the closure of the 10 joint PSNI-military bases and the closure of 14 of the 24 military bases in Northern Ireland.  It also committed to the reduction of troop numbers from 10,028 in July 2005 to 5,000 by 31 July 2007.

Progress on the commitments made in the programme has been monitored by the Independent Monitoring Commission which is due to issue a final report on security normalisation in September 2007.