Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has challenged First Minister Arlene Foster to publish the report of the three person panel appointed to identify a strategy to disband paramilitary groups. First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA informed the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday that the report has been received at Stormont Castle, but was less than clear regarding timescales for next steps.

Mike Nesbitt, who is Leader of the Official Opposition, wants the report published, to secure maximum public confidence. He is also pointing out that the Executive has little more than 20 days in which to publish an action plan and timescales to end paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.

Mr Nesbitt said:

“Yesterday, I pointed out how the DUP / Sinn Féin Executive has failed to deliver the Programme for Government in accordance with the action plan and timescales set out in the Fresh Start agreement.

“Now, we are told the two First Ministers are sitting on the report into ending paramilitary groups, with First Minister McGuinness making a vague promise to bring it to the full Executive at some point in the future. His own Fresh Start agreement commits him to not only bring it to the Executive before the end of the month, but also to carry out research into the social costs of paramilitarism, devise a public awareness campaign, and mainstream tackling paramilitary activity within the work of the Executive – all within the next 24 days. Bitter experience suggests it will not happen.

“I call on First Minister Foster to publish the panel report, to enhance public confidence that this Executive is serious about ending paramilitary groups and their evil influence.

“It was the Ulster Unionist Party that forced paramilitary activity to the top of the Stormont House talks agenda last year. Paramilitarism remained top of the agenda when the UK Government published the enabling legislation, but it is clear from the Executive’s Draft Programme for Government Framework that the DUP and Sinn Féin have let the issue slip. The Ulster Unionist Party will not. Paramilitary activity continues to blight our society, keeps sections of our community feeling oppressed, sucking money out of our economy and tarnishing our reputation on the international stage.”