IRA structure 'key to peace efforts'

The maintenance of the IRA's command and control structure is helping rather than hindering the peace process in the North, the international body set up to monitor paramilitary ceasefires said today.

With the Irish and British governments intent on breaking the political deadlock with days of intensive party talks in Scotland next month, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) gave their efforts a fillip with a report which said republicans remain committed to politics.