The effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 30 Mar 2022 Closed: 28 May 2024 Parliament page
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland. The inquiry is looking at the effectiveness of current measures aimed at tackling paramilitarism in Northern Ireland and considering how the UK Government, Northern Ireland Executive and … Read more
14 Recommendations
3 Conclusions
1 Report
11 Oral sessions
4 Letters
12 Events
Activity timeline 29 events
23 May
2024
Report published
1 Feb
2024
Report published
18 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
17 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
17 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
7 Jun
2023
Correspondence
26 Apr
2023
Oral evidence
26 Apr
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
8 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
8 Mar
2023
Correspondence
8 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 11 sessions
18 Oct 2023
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Dr Aaron Edwards · The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Dr Seán Brennan, Independent Researcher
17 Oct 2023
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Jamie Bryson · Centre for the Union
26 Apr 2023
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John McBurney · Independent Reporting Commission Mitchell Reiss · Independent Reporting Commission Monica McWilliams · Independent Reporting Commission Tim O'Connor · Independent Reporting Commission
8 Mar 2023
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Chris Heaton-Harris MP · Northern Ireland Office Dominic Wilson · Northern Ireland Office James Crawford · Northern Ireland Office
22 Feb 2023
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Alison Flanagan · Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Brian Anderson · East Belfast Mission Ronnie Armour · Northern Ireland Prison Service Steven McCourt · Northern Ireland Prison Service
1 Feb 2023
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Ian Jeffers · Commission for Victims and Survivors Northern Ireland Megan Phair · The Stop Attacks Forum Mr Peter Murtagh · South East Fermanagh Foundation Paul Smyth · The Stop Attacks Forum Sandra Peake · Wave Trauma Centre
18 Jan 2023
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Clare Moore · Irish Congress of Trade Unions Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick · Ulster University Maxine Murphy Higgins · NASUWT - The Teachers' Union Mrs Siobhán Harding · Women’s Support Network Ms Elaine Crory · Women’s Resource and Development Agency Sonya McMullan · Women's Aid NI
12 Dec 2022
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John McBurney · Independent Reporting Commission Mitchell Reiss · Independent Reporting Commission Monica McWilliams · Independent Reporting Commission Tim O’Connor · Independent Reporting Commission
23 Nov 2022
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Daniel Holder · Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) Professor Marie Breen-Smyth the Independent Reviewer of the exercised powers under the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 Úna Boyd · Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ)
9 Nov 2022
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Dr Brendan Coyle · Ulster University Dr Conor Murray · Ulster University Mairead McCafferty · Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Mark Dennison · Irish Football Association Ms Koulla Yiasouma · Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
26 Oct 2022
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Adele Brown · The Northern Ireland Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime Andy Hill · Police Service of Northern Ireland Mark McEwan · Police Service of Northern Ireland Naomi Long MLA · Northern Ireland Department of Justice Richard Pengelly · Northern Ireland Department of Justice
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The effect of paramilitary activity and organise… HC 43 1 Feb 2024 17 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Terminology for paramilitarism in Northern Ireland is complex, contested and risks misrepresentation
The term ‘paramilitarism’ is complex and contested in Northern Ireland. We heard how use of the term can risk romanticising the presence of gangs who engage in overt criminality and attempt to exercise coercive control over the communities they seek … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of safeguarding children and young people from abuse by paramilitary or organised crime gangs.
Northern Ireland Office
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2 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The effect of para…
Urge Executive to support communities addressing paramilitary murals and flags
Memorials, commemorative artefacts and flags glorifying paramilitary groups serve as a visual signifier of the coercive control that such groups attempt to have over communities and can retraumatise the victims and survivors of paramilitary violence. The PSNI does not always … Read more
Government Response
The government response completely deflects from the recommendation concerning paramilitary murals, instead discussing engagement between DWP and DfC on social security, credit services, and the development of a childcare strategy for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Office
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3 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Engage DWP to improve universal credit access and develop NI childcare strategy
The high cost of living in Northern Ireland has contributed to a ‘cruel storm’ which paramilitary groups are exploiting to target vulnerable individuals. Single mothers in precarious financial situations are being targeted by paramilitary groups engaging in illegal money lending … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged concerns about illegal money lending and stated the Northern Ireland Office will continue regular engagement with DWP to discuss these issues. It noted existing credit advice on the NI Direct website and deferred the childcare strategy development to the restored NI Executive, offering UK Government support for knowledge sharing.
Northern Ireland Office
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4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Set out approval process for NI EVAWG strategy during Executive suspension
We are concerned to hear about the gatekeeping of funding and other activity by paramilitary groups which has increasingly excluded women and the community and voluntary sector since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. This has implications for the … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the restoration of the NI Executive, seeing it as an opportunity for the Executive to progress a strategy on ending violence against women and girls, and highlights existing funding for related projects.
Northern Ireland Office
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The effect of para…
Introduce a system-wide and Government-wide commitment to trauma-informed practice in Northern Ireland.
There is a correlation between paramilitary activity, deprivation, mental health issues and trauma. We therefore support the trauma-informed and public health approach of the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme. The Government must collaborate with the Executive to introduce forthwith a system-wide and … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to collaborating with the Executive to further embed trauma-informed approaches in Northern Ireland, welcomes the EPPOC Sponsor Group's commitment to develop a trauma-informed Programme for Government, and will promote trauma-informed policymaking within UK Government departments in NI.
Northern Ireland Office
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The effect of para…
Undertake an audit of Northern Ireland’s framework for safeguarding children from paramilitary exploitation.
To counter the risk and reality of people romanticising paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, it is crucial that public agencies and wider civic society use language rooted in safeguarding and child protection when describing the activities of these criminal gangs … Read more
Government Response
The government notes that the NI Executive's Child Criminal Exploitation Task and Finish Group is developing a CCE definition aligned with Home Office guidance, with updated policies expected by year-end. The CCE action plan and draft MSHT Strategy also aim to improve awareness of child exploitation offences and NRM referrals.
Northern Ireland Office
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7 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Embed a safeguarding approach to prosecute paramilitary activity as modern slavery and exploitation.
Low prosecution rates for those who commit violent crime can act as a barrier to reporting the crimes of paramilitary groups and serve to perpetuate the impunity with which these groups act. An effective criminal justice system able to identify … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of safeguarding and prosecuting paramilitary-related crimes, noting that the devolved NI Executive is taking forward work including a Child Criminal Exploitation Task and Finish Group and an MSHT Strategy, which aim to strengthen the criminal justice system.
Northern Ireland Office
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The effect of para…
Share good practice to improve NRM awareness and use among NI welfare and justice agencies.
We are concerned about the lack of use of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in NI. The NRM is a tool for public agencies to provide a strategic safeguarding response to paramilitary activity. While we acknowledge that support for modern … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of the NRM, noting that the NI Executive's Child Criminal Exploitation Task and Finish Group's action plan includes increasing NRM awareness among agencies, and the draft Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Strategy also aims to improve NRM use.
Northern Ireland Office
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9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Lack of an Executive impedes collaborative efforts to tackle paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.
The continued presence of paramilitary groups, 25 years on from the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, represents a festering wound on society in Northern Ireland. Given the delineation of responsibilities between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive in tackling terrorist and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the assessment that tackling paramilitarism requires a whole-of-government approach, noting the Executive's restoration as an opportunity to prioritize this work and ensure coordination.
Northern Ireland Office
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10 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Prioritise ending paramilitary harm as a strategic commitment in the Programme for Government.
Tackling paramilitarism in Northern Ireland requires a whole of Government approach. While we are mindful that it is ultimately a matter for any newly formed Executive to decide its priorities for government, we urge the next administration in Northern Ireland … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for a whole-of-government approach to tackling paramilitarism and sees the Executive's restoration as an opportunity to ensure this work remains a priority.
Northern Ireland Office
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11 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The effect of para…
Undertake updated analysis of paramilitary activity to inform national security strategy scope in Northern Ireland.
There is a live debate as to whether the current scope of national security, as it relates to Northern Ireland, should be revised to include threats other than those to democracy and the state, such as paramilitary activity like drug … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for a whole-of-government approach and commits to keeping under ongoing review the effectiveness of mechanisms for coordinating responses to threats from terrorism, paramilitarism, and organised crime, stating roles are well understood.
Northern Ireland Office
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12 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The effect of para…
Extend multi-year funding period for Tackling Paramilitarism Programme Phase Three to five years.
We welcome the announcement in the 2023 Budget of an additional £3 million for 2024/25 to extend the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme in Northern Ireland. The Programme is carrying out vital work to develop strategies to tackle paramilitarism systematically. Paramilitarism is … Read more
Government Response
The government does not commit to extending the multi-year funding for the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme to five years or maintaining specific funding levels. It instead states that Additional Security Funding is for PSNI counter-terrorism work and that day-to-day policing and spending decisions remain the responsibility of the Executive.
Northern Ireland Office
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13 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The effect of para…
Establish improved funding arrangements for Northern Ireland's counter-terrorism and justice budgets.
The Government’s contribution to additional security funding for counter-terrorism has recently stagnated despite the continuing terrorist threat, and the justice budget in Northern Ireland has risen by just 3% compared to respective increases of 70% 50 The effect of paramilitary … Read more
Government Response
The government states that policing and police funding are devolved matters for the NI Executive to determine, while confirming its existing Additional Security Funding of £32m per year until 2024/25, which is not for day-to-day policing.
Northern Ireland Office
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14 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The effect of para…
Increase PSNI officer headcount to at least 7,500 through recurrent funding provision.
We are concerned at the budgetary shortfall that the PSNI is facing, not least in the context of recent security incidents evidencing starkly the ongoing threat from terrorist and paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. The financial liabilities that the Service … Read more
Government Response
The government states that increasing PSNI officers to 7,500 is an NI Executive priority, and policing in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter for the Executive and Department of Justice to resource.
Northern Ireland Office
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15 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - The effect of para…
Embed a standard code of practice for community groups receiving public funding to tackle paramilitarism.
We are concerned to hear claims that paramilitary organisations act as gatekeepers within some communities and masquerade as community organisations to receive public money. The Government must embed a standard code of practice and behaviour that all community-level organisations availing … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the risk of paramilitary gatekeeping, stating that existing funding mechanisms have conditions and a behaviours framework is in place. It supports the adoption of this framework and is undertaking wider work to consider how similar frameworks can be implemented across non-Executive funding.
Northern Ireland Office
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The effect of para…
Conduct a scoping exercise to assess public support for a paramilitary group transition process.
We have heard evidence both for and against the establishment of formal process of Group Transition. On the one hand, we are concerned that a Group Transition process aimed at the disbandment of paramilitary groups could inadvertently risk reinforcing the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the recommendation for a formal paramilitary group transition process and is committed to taking forward further work, including independent scoping and engagement, to assess public support and merit for such a process.
Northern Ireland Office
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17 Conclusion Deferred
Second Report - The effect of para…
Paramilitary groups are fragmented; sub-group transition concept requires further development and consideration.
Paramilitary groups do not resemble cohesive units, rather they are composed of sub-groups that vary in location, strength of affiliation and level of criminal activity. We have heard that some sub-groups are readying themselves for transition, whilst others show little … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges recommendations for a formal process to facilitate paramilitary group transition and commits to undertaking further independent scoping and engagement to assess its merit and support.
Northern Ireland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 17 of 14 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 5
Total 14 recs + 3 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
7 Jun 2023 Correspondence from the Secretary of State, relating to the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland inquiry, 31 May 2023
Parliament page
8 Mar 2023 Correspondence from Northern Ireland Prison Service, relating to the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland, 6 March 2023
Parliament page
8 Feb 2023 Correspondence to the PSNI relating to the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland inquiry, 24 January 2023
Parliament page
8 Feb 2023 Correspondence from the PSNI relating to the effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland inquiry, 1 February 2023
Parliament page