The government has welcomed the publication of an official report on "normalising" security arrangements in Northern Ireland.

Security minister Ian Pearson said the study, produced by the Independent Monitoring Commission, proved that there has already been a "significant reduction of the security profile since December 1999".

The report said that there had been "a very significant reduction in the number of deaths attributable to paramilitary groups since the Belfast Agreement in 1998 although they still continue at a level that gives rise to concern".

However, it also said that other forms of violence by paramilitary groups "have significantly increased over the same period".

And it noted that while serious violence had reduced "the overall level of deployment of the army in Northern Ireland has not reduced very significantly since 1999".

But Pearson pointed to figures showing that the number of towers and observation posts have decreased by half and that there has been a 33 per cent reduction in helicopter flying hours as proof that the normalisation process was continuing.

"As the IMC report makes clear, all normalisation arrangements must be contingent upon and must be measured against the prevailing security threat," he said.

"The level of community support that the police enjoy is also a vital factor.

"For government's part, the day when we can have normal security arrangements in Northern Ireland cannot come soon enough."

But Sinn Fein rejected the IMC's part in the peace process and said it had "played a negative role".

"The IMC has proven itself to be a willing tool of the British securocrats, and nationalists in the six counties do not require the IMC to tell them that the British government have not delivered on their commitments to demilitarise," said assembly member Alex Maskey.

For the Conservatives, shadow Northern Ireland secretary David Liddington said there had been moves "towards greater security normalisation since 1999".

"The report also reminds us that paramilitary groups remain active and the incidents of shootings and beatings by them has increased," he said.

"Reductions in security must never be made for political reasons. Any decisions have to be on security grounds alone."