The British government is today expected to publish a Bill to enable the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Assembly at Stormont.
Details of the proposals will be made known when the Bill is presented to MPs at Westminster this afternoon. However, The Irish Times understands the British government will address up to 10 other policy areas in addition to policing and justice.
Significantly, the legislation could contain proposals to grant the Northern Secretary powers to call an Assembly election ahead of the May 2007 deadline.
Such powers could prove useful if it is decided that a snap Assembly poll is needed later this year to underpin any new agreement to restore Stormont.
Other proposals will illustrate a commitment to enhanced cross-Border co-operation in the fields of energy and the environment, where all-island solutions are being considered.
Many of the British government's plans have been signalled in the joint declaration published with the Irish Government in April 2003 following intensive negotiations at Hillsborough.
Measures contained in the Bill, described by one well-placed source as an "omnibus Bill", will cover a range of issues which the governments believe will facilitate the restoration of the institutions of the Belfast Agreement.
The governments hope these will "clear the ground for restoration", as one source put it.
Today's Bill may include issues relating to electoral registration and to the financing of political parties. The amnesty available for paramilitary groups, mostly loyalist, co-operating with Gen John de Chastelain's decommissioning body could be extended.
Legislation may also grant additional borrowing powers to a restored Executive. One suggestion estimated that a new power-sharing Executive could borrow up to £3 billion (€4.4 billion), a 50 per cent rise on current limits.
Other proposals relate to health and safety conditions within the PSNI, new powers available to police in the fight against serious organised crime, and a requirement for public vacancies to be filled.
All these provisions are intended to set a framework for discussions among the parties in Northern Ireland.
Political development minister David Hanson begins a round of discussions with party delegations later today at Stormont. The provisions could be amended if the parties push for changes during the round of talks.
The Bill envisages two new models for the devolution of policing and justice powers.
The legislation will not be prescriptive but could empower a future Assembly to appoint separate justice and policing ministers or to do so on a rotational basis.
The two governments accept that it is up to the Assembly parties to agree on a model, while insisting that devolution cannot be gradual or piecemeal. All powers will be devolved, except those relating to national security.
The Bill could complete its passage through the Commons by early May and through the House of Lords by early summer.