House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Seventh Report of the Independent Reporting Commission
25 February 2025 · Northern Ireland Office
Proposed by Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The UK Government and the Government of Ireland have agreed to jointly appoint an Independent Expert to conduct a scoping exercise on ending paramilitarism.
- The scoping exercise will be conducted within the existing IRC legislative framework.
- This initiative is not a financial offer or a substitute for current law enforcement measures.
Issue summary
The statement discusses the seventh report from the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) regarding progress in tackling paramilitary activity and associated criminality.
Action requested
The UK Government and the Government of Ireland have agreed to jointly appoint an Independent Expert within the existing IRC legislative framework to conduct a scoping exercise on whether there is merit for a formal process to end paramilitarism. This is not a financial offer or a substitute for current law enforcement measures.
Key facts
- The Independent Reporting Commission was established in November 2015 following the Fresh Start Agreement.
- A commitment was made in January 2020 under the New Decade, New Approach Agreement to continue work on tackling paramilitarism.
- In April 2024, the UK and Irish Governments committed to taking forward further work based on IRC recommendations.