Decommissioning head is to return

General John de Chastelain is to return to Ireland on Wednesday

The Canadian General John de Chastelain is expected to arrive back in Ireland on Wednesday to recommence his work on the issue of paramilitary disarmament.

The British and Irish governments have strengthened his decommissioning body by re-appointing Finnish brigadier Tauno Nieminen who resigned in 2001.

The third member of the commission, Andrew Sens, is also understood to be ready to return to work.

The moves will increase expectations the IRA will start disarming soon.

It has not decommissioned any of its weapons since saying it was ending its armed campaign at the end of July.

The statement also said independent witnesses from Catholic and Protestant Churches had been invited to witness the decommissioning process and ordered members to "dump arms".

General de Chastelain has been chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning since the late 1990s.