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Theresa Villiers commissions assessment of Northern Ireland paramilitaries Theresa Villiers commissions assessment of Northern Ireland paramilitaries
(35 minutes later)
The government has commissioned an independent assessment of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland.The government has commissioned an independent assessment of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland.
The assessment, to be published in mid-October, will be used to inform parties at Northern Ireland's political talks.The assessment, to be published in mid-October, will be used to inform parties at Northern Ireland's political talks.
In a statement on Friday, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said she is also to establish a fund to tackle organised crime associated with paramilitary groups.In a statement on Friday, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said she is also to establish a fund to tackle organised crime associated with paramilitary groups.
DUP leader Peter Robinson said he was "content" with the announcement.DUP leader Peter Robinson said he was "content" with the announcement.
"Policing and security in Northern Ireland is not just the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, the secretary of state has a particular responsibility as well," Mr Robinson said."Policing and security in Northern Ireland is not just the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, the secretary of state has a particular responsibility as well," Mr Robinson said.
He said "permanent and statutory steps" to address paramilitary activity and links should be determined within the talks process.He said "permanent and statutory steps" to address paramilitary activity and links should be determined within the talks process.
"On the basis of the secretary of state's statement today we will be participating in the talks on Monday," Mr Robinson added."On the basis of the secretary of state's statement today we will be participating in the talks on Monday," Mr Robinson added.
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Ms Villiers said the assessment of paramilitaries would be carried out by UK security agencies and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and would be reviewed and checked by three people whose names would be announced early next week.Ms Villiers said the assessment of paramilitaries would be carried out by UK security agencies and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and would be reviewed and checked by three people whose names would be announced early next week.
"I also intend to establish dedicated funding aimed at increasing the capability of agencies working to tackle criminality and organised crime associated with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland," she said."I also intend to establish dedicated funding aimed at increasing the capability of agencies working to tackle criminality and organised crime associated with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland," she said.
"It will support agencies to enhance specialist capabilities such as forensic accounting to strengthen their capacity to seize criminal assets."It will support agencies to enhance specialist capabilities such as forensic accounting to strengthen their capacity to seize criminal assets.
"Lastly, I am planning to discuss with the Northern Ireland justice minister and the Irish justice minister how we can work best together in our efforts to tackle cross-border crime.""Lastly, I am planning to discuss with the Northern Ireland justice minister and the Irish justice minister how we can work best together in our efforts to tackle cross-border crime."
In response, Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "Pleased that unionist leaders will be present for vital inclusive talks on Monday."In response, Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "Pleased that unionist leaders will be present for vital inclusive talks on Monday."
Unionists had said the issue of continued paramilitary activity was crucial to the cross-party talks.Unionists had said the issue of continued paramilitary activity was crucial to the cross-party talks.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt described Ms Villiers statement as a "positive step forward" and said he would speak to his party executive on Friday afternoon to "reflect where we go from here".Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt described Ms Villiers statement as a "positive step forward" and said he would speak to his party executive on Friday afternoon to "reflect where we go from here".
The head of the PSNI, Chief Constable George Hamilton, said: "Organised Crime has a disproportionate effect on our most vulnerable communities and we welcome the clear focus on this issue."The head of the PSNI, Chief Constable George Hamilton, said: "Organised Crime has a disproportionate effect on our most vulnerable communities and we welcome the clear focus on this issue."
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said the assessment would be a "once-off exercise" and was intended to assist the parties in "their collective consideration of how the impact and legacy of paramilitary activity should best be addressed".Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said the assessment would be a "once-off exercise" and was intended to assist the parties in "their collective consideration of how the impact and legacy of paramilitary activity should best be addressed".
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said Ms Villiers' statement "has all the appearance of politically motivated and timed window dressing to keep the failed process going".