British and Irish PMs unveiled blueprint 6 April aimed at restoring devolution. Plan reconvenes Stormont Assembly 15 May but stipulates unless multi-party government formed by 24 November, Assembly will be suspended and members’ salaries discontinued. Democratic Unionist Party participated for first time in British-Irish Parliamentary Body after 16-year boycott. Denis Donaldson, former Sinn Fein official who admitted spying for British government, murdered in County Donegal; Sinn Fein and IRA denied involvement.

Following February breakdown of political party talks, UK and Irish PMs met 8 March to discuss blueprint to restore devolution. UK army published timetable on troop withdrawal from province, from around 9,000 to 5,000 by August 2007. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams invited to White House St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, reflecting recent progress in IRA decommissioning.

Political party talks halted 20 February as DUP refused to negotiate with Sinn Fein (SF) directly and SF rejected alternative format. UK Northern Ireland Sec. Peter Hain had called for devolution agreement by 8 March; unveiled bill 16 February that facilitates agreement by allowing early elections and increase in assembly responsibility for law and order. Independent Monitoring Commission Report released 1 February: accepted IRA “eschewed terrorism”, confirmed significant, but incomplete, decommissioning, and condemned IRA involvement in organised crime and illegal intelligence gathering. Report also reprimanded UDA for “continuing paramilitary activity”. 41 arrested in Dublin after 25 February Republican riots in protest at Unionist march organised to remember victims of Republican violence.

Hopes raised of substantial progress in 6 February planned resumption of talks with political parties; talks announced after British and Irish PMs Blair and Ahern met in Dublin 26 January. Independent Monitoring Commission Report due to be published 1 February. Earlier in month, Northern Ireland Sec. Peter Hain announced dropping controversial fugitive amnesty bill after Sinn Fein rejection. Dublin also suspended plan to pardon IRA fugitives wanted in south. Police Historical Enquiries Team began re-examination of 3,268 unsolved murders committed 1968-1998, process expected to take 5-7 years.

“Stormontgate” spy scandal resurfaced. Sinn Fein (SF) expelled former Stormont Head of Administration Denis Donaldson after he announced he was British agent and claimed allegations of IRA spy ring which led to 2002 collapse of power-sharing had been “scam” invented by UK intelligence. Northern Ireland Sec. Peter Hain ruled out public inquiry. Senior police officers criticised new paramilitary fugitive legislation. In dramatic u-turn under pressure from rival nationalists, SF also rejected legislation saying too far from points agreed in 2001 talks.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced plans to overhaul local government in region, including reduction of number of local councils from 26 to 7. All parties except Sinn Fein warned move could lead to repartition along sectarian lines; Sinn Fein dismissed warnings. House of Commons passed bill on amnesty for returning fugitive paramilitaries by 310 votes to 262 despite concerns raised by many MPs and criticism of bill by victims’ families. County Armagh man shot dead 7 November reported to have republican dissident connections.

Positive developments continued as splinter Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) announced stand- down and end of feud with Ulster Volunteer Force from 31 October; LVF also considered decommissioning. Independent Monitoring Commission concluded IRA observing July peace declaration; power-sharing negotiations with Sinn Fein to reopen if January report equally positive. Former Ulster Defence Association member killed 4 October by rivals; bomb discovered at primary school in Ian Paisley’s constituency and west Belfast Orange hall set on fire.

Independent International Commission report confirmed  IRA decommissioning completed 26 September. British government declared Ulster Volunteer Force’s (UVF) 1994 ceasefire invalid 13 September, following 3 nights of rioting blamed on UVF and Ulster Defence Association that injured 60 police officers; violence stemmed from re-routing of contentious Orange Order Whiterock parade 11 September. Dissident republicans blamed for attack 21 September on Police Board vice-chairman in Londonderry.

Series of sectarian attacks on Catholic buildings in County Antrim: 40 police officers injured in clashes with loyalists Belfast after police raided homes linked to loyalist feud. Sinn Fein listed 85 loyalist attacks since June. UK army to disband Royal Irish Regiment in response to IRA ending armed campaign July.

Historic declaration by IRA 28 July ending armed campaign and committing to pursue goals through peaceful means. Followed month of violent demonstrations: militant Republicans attacked riot police with homemade grenades and petrol bombs at 12 July Protestant Orange Order parade Belfast, wounding up to 80 police officers; petrol bombs thrown during Londonderry rioting injured 7 police; 2 killed in ongoing Loyalist feud between UVF and LVF. UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain to withhold Progressive Unionist Party’s assembly allowances.