Impacts of paramilitarism in NI to be investigated by MPs

The Committee will examine the impacts of paramilitarism, review progress made in tackling it, and consider how UK, Northern Ireland, and Irish authorities can work together to eliminate it. Anyone with knowledge or direct experience of any of these issues will be able to submit evidence, and in doing so request anonymity or for the evidence to remain unpublished.

In December, the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), established by the UK and Irish Governments to monitor progress on tackling paramilitary activity, warned that paramilitarism in Northern Ireland “remains a clear and present danger”. Fears were rekindled on 25 March when Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney had to be evacuated from an event in Belfast following a security incident- just two days after Northern Ireland’s terror threat level had been lowered from ‘severe’ to ‘substantial’.

In its report, the Commission also highlighted how paramilitary groups use the legacy of the Troubles as a “cloak” to engage in crimes such as extortion, drug dealing and money laundering. It recommended that a process of formal engagement be set up to eventually bring about the paramilitaries’ disbandment.

Chair's comment

Committee Chairman, Simon Hoare said, “Paramilitarism is the scourge of Northern Ireland and has been for decades. Parties are united in their desire for a safer Northern Ireland free from it. People have paid too high a price, for too long. Progress has been made but recent events demonstrate the fragility of the process. Building on the gains of the last quarter of a century requires an appraisal of the current measures in place to end this cycle of violence and criminality.

The reasons why paramilitarism endures are complex, so we’d like anyone with knowledge or experience of its impact on society, how it can be tackled, and whether formal engagement with paramilitary groups is appropriate, to write to us.”

The 2015 ‘Fresh Start’ Agreement, which led to the establishment of the IRC, set out principles for the UK Government, Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government to work together to bring about an end to paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Office has made achieving a safer Northern Ireland where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities a key priority for 2021-22.

Terms of Reference

You can submit evidence to the Committee answering any of the questions below on the evidence submission page by 5pm on 13 May 2022.

• Whether the UK Government, NI Executive and Irish Government are working effectively together to achieve a society free of paramilitarism; 
• Whether the approach of the UK Government and NI Executive to tackling paramilitarism is sufficiently sustained, resourced and joined-up;  
• How effective measures under the Fresh Start Agreement have been in combining police and justice measures and tackling socio-economic issues to eradicate paramilitarism in Northern Ireland; 
• What the socio-economic effects are of paramilitaries on communities in Northern Ireland; 
• Whether there should be a dedicated formal process of engagement with paramilitary organisations aimed at their disbandment.

Further information

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