---

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

It certainly is not off the table and the Bill may well be a vehicle for addressing those issues, which we recently discussed with the hon. Gentleman’s party and with the other parties concerned at Hillsborough castle and Stormont. They remain to be addressed and if we do decide to amend the Bill—as I have signalled that we might—we have provided adequate time for debate. There will be two full days of debate on the Floor of the House and if Government new clauses are tabled, they will be taken here and we will have adequate time to deal with them, as is obviously crucial. We would want to discuss such proposals with all the parties, including the hon. Gentleman’s, before moving down that route. The decommissioning of IRA weapons, which was independently verified and reported on by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and by witnesses, has also contributed positively to the new environment. The picture is not perfect but huge progress has been made: the situation in Northern Ireland is transformed from where we were. We need to step up to the challenges and opportunities that the new environment presents. Political leaders in all walks of life need to show vision, courage and commitment to these goals. Restoration of the devolved institutions remains the aim, and Northern Ireland’s politicians need to take the next step forward. We need to restore devolved government on a stable and lasting basis, and this legislation will help to prepare the way.