Danny Kennedy MLA has said it is vital any proposed strategy to deal with paramilitarism in Northern Ireland captures public confidence.  

Mr Kennedy said: 

“We called for the issue of paramilitarism and associated criminality to be dealt with in the wake of the Kevin McGuigan murder and Sinn Fein’s incredible denial that PIRA were involved, so this panel is welcome as something we called for along with the Joint Agency Task Force to tackle cross-border crime. 

“While this is not where society was meant to be in 2015, there is still clearly need for such a body to scope out how we tackle the toxic legacy of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland that sadly still grips too many of our communities. 

“We are keen to see the terms of reference for the panel as any strategy will need to capture the public confidence, especially from those who still live in the stranglehold of these groupings.  Seventeen years on from the Belfast Agreement there can be no excuse for those who continue down the path of criminality and violence. 

“While the credentials of those appointed to the panel are clear for all to see, I am surprised there is no international or national input into the body, as there was with the IMC.  I wish Lord Alderdice, Monica McWilliams and John McBurney well as they set out on what is clearly an extremely difficult and complex task, but one that if successful, can have a transformational effect on our society.  

“We forced paramilitarism to the top of the agenda despite huge opposition at the Stormont House talks and hope that the panel along with the Joint Agency Task Force can take us to the better place the public desire and deserve.”