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Political Background

The political and peace processes in Northern Ireland have brought huge benefits and change. Today, Northern Ireland is a better place to live than it was a decade ago, with jobs and investment growing and the number of tourists increasing.

Northern Ireland is also a safer place to live. With unprecedented reform of policing and criminal justice, Northern Ireland has one of the most effective policing services in the world.

The peace process has produced substantial benefits, but it is acknowledged that there is unfinished business with the Agreement and more work to be done.

The Government remains committed and will go on working for the full implementation of the Agreement as voted for by the majority of people in referenda in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

And it will continue to demand that paramilitary activity and criminality must cease on all sides with the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) providing a check on whether that is happening.

In October 2002, the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended by the Government due to a breakdown in trust and confidence amongst the parties and today,  Northern Ireland continues to be governed by direct rule Ministers.

Then Prime Minister Tony Blair came to Belfast and in a speech at the Harbour Commissioners spelt out what was needed to restore the Assembly.

The latest effort to restore devolution culminated in 3 days of talks at St Andrews, Scotland. The St Andrews Agreement was published on the 13th October 2006.

The Secretary of State has introduced legislation (Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill) to Parliament to pave the way for restortation of devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

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