The cost of the body overseeing the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons in Ireland has topped £8 million, it emerged tonight.
Since 1997 the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) has cost between £276,000 and £701,814 each year. Northern Ireland minister Shaun Woodward said: "The IICD's running costs are shared equally between the Irish and British Governments.
The total cost to date is £8,381,956, with the Irish Government contributing £4,190,978.
The Commission was established in 1997 under chairman General John de Chastelain.