Alliance to push for early IMC report

12.00.00am GMT Tue 9th Mar 2004

ALLIANCE will be meeting with the Independent Monitoring Commission tomorrow where it will call upon the Commissioners to publish an early report on recent paramilitary activity.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Alliance Party Justice spokesperson Councillor Stephen Farry welcomed today's statement from the IMC that they are considering publishing an ad hoc report on the Tohill incident.

Cllr Farry said: "Alliance is far from satisfied by the Government's limited action in bringing forward the regular IMC report from July to May. This is simply putting the issue at the heart of the political crisis on the long finger.

"Alliance has argued that the IMC does have the ability to produce ad hoc reports under Article 4 of the British Irish agreement that established the body. An early report would provide the basis for the governments and parties to take political decisions to restore the integrity of the political process.

"The IMC is being asked to make a political judgment on the actions of organisations rather than comment upon the actions of individual suspects. Alliance is keen to explore these issues with the IMC at our meeting."