The British government is keeping its promises to remove military posts and reduce security at Northern Ireland police stations, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has said.
Commenting on the IMC report the Minister said the British have, in fact, cut troop levels in Northern Ireland faster than expected, while all remaining military watchtowers have gone.
The number of military helicopter flights has also been sharply cut.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the publication of the IMC report showed that Northern Ireland is becoming "progressively normalised. An enormous transformation has taken place in recent years.
"We have had a peaceful and calm summer. This has been the result of a lot of work by a lot of people, working in the interests of all," he said .
"It has been clear for some time that this autumn will determine the shape of Northern Ireland politics for some considerable time to come. The period ahead will be decisive. It will demand leadership. All parties must play their part. We want to see agreement on devolution over the coming weeks and we firmly believe it is achievable.
"The last remaining steps can and must therefore be taken. The outstanding issues are very few indeed. They are well capable of being resolved. Northern Ireland must move on," he added.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, and the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain, will meet in Dundalk early next Monday to review work done over the summer.