The Independent Reporting Commission, IRC, is the statutory body established under the Fresh Start agreement of 2015 to report on measures aimed at ending paramilitarism. The reports of the commission provide a comprehensive insight into the work being done to tackle this problem. One of the recommendations of the fifth report, the most recent report, was that the two Governments should consider appointing an independent person to engage and report in detail on the possible establishment of a formal process of comprehensive group transition, in other words engaging with the paramilitary groups and getting a transition.

I understand that the Irish Government has been in favour of proceeding with this and that it is due to hold meetings with the British Government and its Northern counterparts.

Thank you, Deputy.

Will this be a matter for discussion at those meetings? Is there a chance this could be pressed home and the suggestion of the IRC adopted and implemented? It would make a big difference and lead to significant progress.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It has been on the agenda at the last two British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference meetings. We are endeavouring to progress it but we have not been in a position to bring it to conclusion in respect of the specific recommendation that was made, of which I am supportive. The Executive has now been formed. I am sure the justice minister in the Executive has views on it as well. I expect it to be on the agenda at the next British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference meeting.