Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC has called for the National Crime Agency to be fully resourced in the fight against serious and organised crime in Northern Ireland. The Upper Bann MLA also expressed his disappointment at the ‘Tacking Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime Executive Action Plan’ which he described as being bereft of detail throughout and in parts, simply deceitful.

Doug Beattie MC MLA, who is also his Party’s Justice Spokesperson, said:

“Having read the action plan, it is clear that it does aim to address the recommendation of the three-person panel on paramilitary activity but lacks detail, vision or imagination. It is an exercise in putting words on paper but without an outcome or any form of accountable process; it is also deceitful in parts.

“On page 18 of the Action Plan it deals with tackling criminality and recommendation 5 states – the National crime Agency (NCA) should be resourced to appropriately prioritise intensive work to tackle all organised crime linked to paramilitary activity. The Executive Action Plan’s response is that funding from the Fresh Start Agreement will help ensure the NCA is fully resourced and funded for this task. Yet in early July 2016 the Justice Committee were given a letter from the NCA which stated their bid for funding from the Fresh Start Agreement had been removed from the bidding process.

“The NCA brings specialised tactical and strategic intelligence support to law enforcement in Northern Ireland and must play a full part in this Action Plan. I therefore call on the Executive and the Justice Minister to clarify the funding position of the NCA under their Action Plan. Will it get the money it needs, or not?"