Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Publication of the Independent Expert’s Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment

13 October 2026 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda

Crime & Law EnforcementNorthern Ireland

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Chris Bryant raised concerns about publication of the independent expert’s report on paramilitary group transition to disbandment in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Chris Bryant highlighted the threat posed by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland engaging in criminal activities.
  • The Independent Expert Fleur Ravensbergen's Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment was acknowledged in the debate.
  • The report was commissioned to assess the merit of a formal process to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda

Chris Bryant highlighted the threat posed by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, which engage in criminal activities such as drug dealing, extortion, and intimidation. He acknowledged the Independent Expert Fleur Ravensbergen’s Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment, a report jointly commissioned to assess the merit of a formal process to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. The report was commissioned in the context of the UK Government's commitment to ending paramilitarism under the Fresh Start Agreement. Bryant emphasised the need for a robust criminal justice response and cross-community support to implement the recommendations for ending paramilitarism.

Other contributors (1)
  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda

    Chris Bryant highlighted the threat posed by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, which engage in criminal activities such as drug dealing, extortion, and intimidation. He acknowledged the Independent Expert Fleur Ravensbergen’s Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment, a report jointly commissioned to assess the merit of a formal process to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. The report was commissioned in the context of the UK Government's commitment to ending paramilitarism under the Fresh Start Agreement. Bryant emphasised the need for a robust criminal justice response and cross-community support to implement the recommendations for ending paramilitarism.

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