The timescale for British demilitarisation across the north has been slashed from three years to two, the Irish News was told last night (Wednesday), as the political negotiations at Hillsborough neared agreement.
An agreement is believed to be within sight and reliable sources said the two-year demilitarisation period is now in the frame.
The sources described issues such as the early demolition of the watchtowers in south Armagh as a "work in a progress" aspect of the timescale change.
The process of assessment inside republicanism on the achievability of a deal which must cover IRA decommissioning, British and police demilitarisation, justice, human rights, and equality will happen within the next few days .
There is, of course, ongoing assessment within the British and Irish governments and, out of that, judgements will be made by the political parties.
Last night Sinn Féin was cautious, for example, about the calling of a special ard fheis on the policing issue, even though progress has been made.
The two governments were also extremely wary about giving specific details of the overall peace plan, although they must be aware that details will leak out in coming weeks.
The SDLP's Sean Farren projected that they were close to finalising all that was necessary on the political side. He cited matters relating to policing and criminal justice, a bill of Rights and the equality agenda.
These issues have been virtually finalised.
"The issue outstanding is what happens when breaches of
commitments arise," Mr Farren said.
The situation is that if breaches occur they cannot be ignored. Yet, with all the substantial issues addressed – and if there will be a response from the paramilitaries such as the IRA on decommissioning – the bones of an agreement can be put together.
With demands that they declare the war is over, no-one yet knows what the paramilitaries – republican and loyalist – are actually going to do in the weeks ahead.
In any event, procedures on sanctions will be put in place by the British and Irish governments.
Further discussions are planned on the issue of sanctions to aim for what sources have termed "a satisfactory outcome".
