The Minister for the Environment announced a package of measures on 20 March and the Executive will be considering how that package will apply in Northern Ireland. Security Situation 21. The security forces continue to thwart the attempts of these groups to destroy the peace process. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is regarding the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is regarding the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland.
Government remain committed to normalisation of security as quickly as the threat allows.
Major progress has already been made. Since the ceasefire 42 military bases have been demolished, closed or vacated. There are currently under 13,500 troops in Northern Ireland, the lowest level since 1970. Over 3,000 troops have left the Province since the current ceasefires were declared. In the longer term, the number of army bases will reduce to no more than 20, to include sites in Londonderry, Belfast, Coleraine and Dungannon.