Report on IRA bosses expected to find no threat

Sam Smyth

September 01 2008 04:48 AM

The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) will report to the Irish and British governments today on the active status of the IRA's ruling army council.

The IMC was asked for a special report on the current status of the IRA's army council in July, after the DUP said it was a threat to the political process.

It is expected that the special report will say the army council has not formally met recently and no longer poses a threat.

The IMC's findings are expected to be made public on Wednesday, in the week when the DUP and Sinn Fein meet for crucial talks.

The Executive has not met since June and relations between the parties have become strained through the summer -- as a number of sensitive issues arose.

Bickering has continued between the DUP and Sinn Fein over the devolution of justice and policing, the development of the site of the Maze prison, education and the Irish language.

Council elections in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh later this month -- where the DUP's Arleen Foster is standing -- are increasing tensions in her party.

And continuing arguments, which the Alliance Party describe as of "breathtaking pettiness", highlighted the fragility of the DUP-Sinn Fein-led Executive.

A major row over planning and Sinn Fein's Regional Development minister Conor Murphy may end up in the High Court, according to Peter Robinson.