Sinn Fein (SF) leader Gerry Adam accused DUP of “posturing” after leader Ian Paisley refused to comply with 26 March power-sharing deadline demanding SF respect law and order without exception. SF met NI police commander 16 February following January party vote on cooperation with Police Service. Downing Street-SF deal reported 10 February on shelving prosecutions of IRA fugitives and security forces accused of collusion. NI Assembly elections due 7 March.

Sinn Fein convention voted to end opposition to Police Service of Northern Ireland 28 January. British and Irish PMs Blair and Ahern hailed step as removing key impediment to power-sharing between party and Democratic Unionists (DUP) and reaffirmed 7 March legislative elections date. DUP leader Ian Paisley must now convince party hardliners to share power. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams expressed desire to meet and persuade commanders of 3 Republican paramilitary groups to disarm. NI Police Ombudsman confirmed police had colluded with loyalist UVF informants connected to 10 murders and over 50 other serious crimes; called for reopening of several murder investigations.

Sinn Fein executive voted to hold special party conference on whether to support police service (PSNI). Conference, expected in January, is crucial for any Sinn Fein compromise on policing. Earlier, 6-member cross- party Stormont sub-group tasked with breaking deadlock on issue by 3 January.

UK parliament passed bill enacting St Andrews deal and allowing January dissolution of Northern Ireland Assembly 21 November. But policing question threatened to delay power-sharing as Unionists insisted Sinn Fein ministers’ oath include commitment to support police and rule of law, and Sinn Fein demanded date for handover of policing powers from Westminster to Stormont. Stormont assembly proceedings halted after Michael Stone, loyalist gunman released under the Good Friday Agreement, entered building with bombs and weapons 24 November; Ulster Defence Association distanced itself from incident. Assembly reconvened 27 November; Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley signalled conditional acceptance of First Minister post after spring elections and Sinn Fein nominated Martin McGuinness Deputy First Minister.

St. Andrews talks 11-13 October resulted in timetable to ensure nomination of first and deputy first minister by 24 November and return to devolved power-sharing by March 2007. Deal rests on Sinn Fein commitments to support police and DUP pledges to share power with Sinn Fein; sides have until 10 November to respond to agreement. Earlier in month, UK Sec. State Peter Hain said IRA no longer terrorist threat as Independent Monitoring Commission reported group had ceased criminal activity.

British and Irish PMs Blair and Ahern met to discuss preparations for intensive October inter-party talks, as London warned parties failure to meet 24 November devolution deadline would have “dire consequences”. UK Sec. State Hain announced funding for transition of Ulster Defence Association from paramilitary and criminal activity. Londonderry SDLP councillor’s home petrol- bombed for 15th time. Long-awaited trial of Sean Hoey, accused of 1998 Omagh bombing, began 25 September.

Dissident republicans launched wave of minor attacks and disruptions, including firebombing of shops in Newry and devices on Dublin-Belfast rail track; Real IRA claimed responsibility for both. Apprentice Boys march in Londonderry 12 August passed peacefully despite violence against police before march and rioting afterwards. British government indicated plans to abolish controversial non-jury Diplock courts for terrorism suspects by mid-2007.

Estimated 10,000 marched without serious incident in annual Orange Order parades 12 July – first time since 1970 army not deployed. Ulster Defence Association asked British and Irish governments for 30 million pounds to disband by retiring its activists. British and Irish governments said IRA no longer engaged in centrally organised criminality.

Orange Parade in Glengormley marred by violence, after attack on marchers saw 2 injured and 4 arrested 27 June. UK PM Blair and Irish PM Ahern held talks with political parties: said November devolution deadline “last chance” for process. NI Secretary Peter Hain intervened 12 June to appoint Jim Wells (DUP) and Francie Molloy (Sinn Fein) as rotating chairs of Stormont Preparation for Government committee, but said no debate until committee could agree on issues for assembly discussion.

Stormont Assembly reconvened 15 May for first time since October 2002 suspension, but has no legislative power until it elects multi-party government; must do so within 6 weeks or face temporary suspension. Sinn Fein head Gerry Adams nominated DUP leader Ian Paisley as First Minister; Paisley refused. PUP leader David Ervine joined Ulster Unionist Party Group, now second largest in assembly; latter criticised for ignoring PUP link to militant Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Mark Haddock, leading UVF member, critically injured after shot by unknown assailants 30 May. Catholic boy killed in sectarian attack in Ballymena 8 May.