The Northern Secretary has anounced an independent assessment of Paramilitary Organisations in the North is to take place.
Theresa Villiers has asked the British security agencies and the PSNI to report on the, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations.
The move will pave the way for all party talks to take place.
This new assessment is by the security agencies will be published by mid October and independently review by 3 people yet to be appointed
The Northern Secretary says it will inform those involved in cross party talks.
The DUP leader Peter Robinson who recently stepped aside as First minister his party will NOT be returning to Stormont until current issues have been addressed:
In addition to the security assessment Theresa Villiers has ordered an examination of the links between paramilitary organisations and organised crime. - something she describes as a a key concern of the Irish government.
Agencies working on this area will be better funded and are to get more powers such as forensic accounting to strengthen their capacity to seize criminal assets.
