Statement by Jim Allister:
“The Chief Constable’s comments to the Justice Committee about the status of the PIRA being a matter for the Secretary of State reminds Northern Ireland that there are double standards when it comes to criminality and terrorism in Northern Ireland. Let’s not forget that the PIRA remain the most deadly murder group in Western Europe – something to which the graveyards of our Province bare chilling testimony.
“In 2015 the Government confirmed that not only does the PIRA retain weapons and departments but that its ruling body, the Army Council, oversees both the PIRA and Sinn Fein with an overarching strategy.
“The question every member of the DUP Assembly party needs to answer is why they were happy to strike a deal with Republicans in such circumstances.
“Sadly the truth is that there is little appetite to confront the reality of the PIRA’s continued presence and operations. Earlier this week I submitted an amendment to a UUP motion on paramilitarism noting the recent PSNI confirmation of the Independent Review Commission assessment to the effect that Sinn Fein is overseen by the IRA Army Council and expressing dismay at such corruption of the democratic process.
“Of course in order to get debated it has to accepted by a Sinn Fein Speaker – elected with the votes of DUP MLAs!”