The Ulster Unionist Party has said that the First Report from the Independent Reporting Commission contains recommendations that can help end paramilitary and criminal activity, but that the onus must be very clearly on putting these groups out of business.   

Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“The Ulster Unionist Party wants to see an end to all forms of paramilitary and criminal activity. We want to see an end to all illegal organisations and any illegal activity.

“Too many communities still live in fear of self-styled and self-appointed bully boys, many of whom – in the Report’s own words - ‘use membership of paramilitary organisations for the sole purpose of exercising coercive control over their communities.’ 

“The Independent Reporting Commission has a key role to play in bringing about an end to paramilitarism once and for all and in its ‘First Report’ it makes nine recommendations. 

“We note the continued focus on a twin-track approach which involves ‘tackling systemic issues at community level alongside a criminal justice response.’

“The Ulster Unionist Party strongly believes that society must not lose sight of the fact that so-called paramilitary groups are little more than festering organised crime gangs with a sense of entitlement feeding off their communities. In many cases they have no interest in removing themselves from the stage, and all the inducements and good intentions in the world will not alter that.

Ulster Unionist Policing Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA said:

“Twenty years on from the Belfast Agreement, there is simply no excuse for the continued existence of illegal paramilitary groups. 

“The Ulster Unionist Party strongly supports the work of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and its current and future successes can only help in building public confidence as organised crime gangs are broken up and their members taken off the streets.  

“Anyone who wishes to help build up communities and work towards delivering a better future using purely peaceful and democratic means whilst at all times respecting the rule of law, should be encouraged. But anyone who is part of a criminal enterprise that engages in organised crime and seeks to dominate communities through the threat of or use of force, needs to know that they will be pursued relentlessly by the police and National Crime Agency, and when brought before the courts, receive sentences that act as both a meaningful punishment and deterrent.”