Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Eighth substantive report of the Independent Reporting Commission

09 December 2025 · Northern Ireland Office

Proposed by Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South

Northern Ireland

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The UK Government will consider recommendations from the Independent Reporting Commission's eighth substantive report.
  • The government will engage with political parties, civic society, and community representatives to address paramilitarism.
  • The UK Government remains committed to tackling paramilitary threats beyond the current Executive Programme's timeline of March 2027.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the eighth substantive report from the Independent Reporting Commission regarding progress in tackling paramilitarism and associated criminal activity in Northern Ireland.

Action requested

The UK Government will consider recommendations for addressing paramilitarism, engaging with political parties, civic society, and community representatives. The government remains committed to working closely with partners to tackle paramilitary threats beyond the current Executive Programme's timeline of March 2027.

Key facts

  • Independent Reporting Commission established following Fresh Start Agreement in November 2015.
  • New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) Agreement in January 2020 committed to ongoing work against paramilitarism.
  • In 2024-2025, there were no security-related deaths for the first time since records began in 1969.
  • Paramilitary structures continue to facilitate organised crime and violence despite progress.
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