I propose to answer Questions Nos. 55, 58 and 60 together.
The Taoiseach, the Minister for Social Welfare and I reported to the House on 29 November that, on the previous evening, following intensive discussions at both political and official level, the Irish and British Governments agreed to launch a "twin track" process to make progress in parallel on the decommissioning issue and on all-party negotiations. By way of the twin tracks, the two Governments have the firm aim of achieving the launch of all-party negotiations by the end of February 1996.
An International Body under the chairmanship of Senator George Mitchell, and also including General John De Chastelain and Mr. Harri Holkeri, has been established to provide an independent assessment of the decommissioning issue. It has been asked to submit its report to the two Governments by mid-January.
The two Governments also agreed to invite the Northern parties to intensive preparatory talks with a remit to reach widespread agreement on the basis, participation, structure, format and agenda to bring all parties together for substantive negotiations aimed at a political settlement based on consent.