Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Once again the Independent Reporting Commission, a group which supposedly has a mandate to “to provide a comprehensive analysis of overall efforts to tackle paramilitarism in Northern Ireland” has produced a report which manages not to mention a single paramilitary group by name.
“It is worth winding the clock back to when the IRC was set up and considering the reasons for its formation. It was formed in 2015 after a Paramilitary Assessment by the Government in the aftermath of the Provisional IRA murder of Kevin McGuigan which stated that the PIRA:
- Retained an “Army Council” which members believed oversaw both the PIRA and Sinn Fein with an overarching strategy;
- Retained “departments” with specific responsibilities and
- Still had weapons which had not been decommissioned.
“Why is this ignored once again by the IRC? Of course, the IRC, populated as it is by disciples of the process, will never say anything which could upset that process.
“But while such issues are avoided, the IRC pushes for a “formal process ofengagementis needed with the Paramilitary Groups”. While the IRC claim that this will encourage disbandment, engagement by government and its agencies with organisations which are illegal would be a slap in the face for victims of terrorists”.