The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Michael McDowell T.D.,  today confirmed that, pursuant to Article 5(1) of the International Agreement establishing the Independent Monitoring Commission, the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom have been presented with the Ninth Report from the Commission.

Article 5(1) of the Agreement provides that the IMC shall monitor and report on a programme of security normalisation measures undertaken by the British Government.

Arrangements are being made for consideration of the Report by the Government as a preliminary to laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas and publication.

2 March 2006