The British government is expected shortly to publish legislation dealing with paramilitary fugitives - the so-called "on the Runs". The measures will "deal with the position of individuals connected with paramilitary crimes committed before the Belfast Agreement", Northern Secretary Peter Hain said yesterday.
In a statement to the House of Commons he said the British government would not introduce an amnesty. However he forecast that the proposals "will be painful for many people" in the unionist community.
He stressed: "I fully understand this. But the government believes that it is a necessary part of the process of closing the door on violence forever."
Mr Hain used a wide-ranging address to parliament to announce the reconstitution of the Policing Board in April next year. The board, which is made up of party political and independent appointees to run the PSNI, was due to have been revamped.
However this had been held over because of the suspension of the Stormont institutions.
The DUP had been pressing for a new board with an increase in DUP seats to reflect its strong showing in the 2003 Assembly elections.
Yesterday Mr Hain said: "As part of the reconstitution exercise, the political element of the board will be appointed on the basis of using the d'Hondt formula applied to the 2003 election results."
The Irish Times understands from reliable sources in both Belfast and Dublin that this will mean the Rev Ian Paisley's party will have four seats, just one more than at present.
The Ulster Unionists will have two seats, as will the SDLP. Sinn Féin is also to be offered two seats, but these will not be taken if republicans continue to boycott the board. In that case, sources say, two broadly nationalist independents will be named in their place.
This decision, actively lobbied for by the Irish Government, will mean a much closer political balance on the 19-member body between nationalists and unionists. The SDLP yesterday welcomed the statement by Mr Hain.
Prof Sir Desmond Rea, the Policing Board chairman, said the reconstitution of the board was "a matter for government".