Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the Government's position on disarming the UDA in the North; and the reason Minister Margaret Ritchie is being undermined by certain elements. [25801/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has been clear and consistent on the need for all paramilitary groups, including the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), to move away definitively from violence and criminality and engage with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) with a view to putting arms beyond use. I believe that many of the leaders of the UDA, and their political advisors in the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), accept the need for change and have shown some leadership in trying to move forward and to deliver on it. But they now need to go significantly further.

Following violence in Carrickfergus and Bangor in early August, Minister Ritchie imposed a 60 day deadline for the UDA leadership to engage in a real and meaningful manner with the IICD, linking this with continued funding by her Department for the 'Conflict Transformation Initiative' (CTI). Her deadline having expired, Minister Ritchie last week took the difficult decision that funding of the CTI should cease, and to use the money instead for projects in disadvantaged loyalist areas.

There were divergent views in the Assembly and in the Executive on how best to proceed on this issue, including differences on some legal issues. It is important to note, however, that there was clear unanimity on the need for the UDA to continue the process of transformation, and to move away decisively from paramilitary activity and to proceed with the decommissioning of its arms.

The Government firmly shares that goal, and I have made that clear, including in my public statement on this matter.

The Government's core objective is that no community should be left behind as Northern Ireland moves forward to an era of genuine peace, stability and prosperity. I would encourage, and look forward to, progressive elements within loyalism showing continued leadership and vision, including on the issue of decommissioning, in the period ahead.