Talks on restoring devolution to Northern Ireland will continue, ministers have said.

Negotiations previously due to take place this week were cancelled in the wake of a report from the Independent Monitoring Commission, which found that paramilitary violence was continuing.

But Northern Ireland Office minister Ian Pearson said discussions would continue over the coming weeks.

He warned that there would not be progress "if we are not prepared to get around the table and talk".

"So we do need to move forward and engage in talks, and that is what we will continue to promote over coming months."

Pearson added that the plice and security forces would continue to bring perpertrators of violence to justice.

"Decommissioning is an important part of the agreement but it isnt all that needs to happen," he told MPs.

"What clearly needs to happen is that we need to see an end to all paramilitary activity."

The minister added that the "overwhelming majority" of people in Ulster desired an end to violence.

"That is what this government, the Irish government and the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want to see.  All our actions as a government are geared towards bringing together a stable, peaceful Northern Ireland."

Also speaking in the Commons, Ulster secretary Paul Murphy put the blame for the current talks impasse on the paramilitary groups.

"The obstacle which we face is still paramilitary activity," said Murphy.

Former Northern Ireland first minister David Trimble said government should follow up the IMC report by pressing for "acts of completion" from paramilitary groups.

There should be no more "business as usual", he added.