Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent report of the Independent Reporting Commission; if he will outline the Government’s views on the absolute need to rid society of paramilitarism; the measures that will be implemented to deal with such issues of criminality, gangsterism and thuggery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10524/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he proposes to discuss with the political parties in Stormont the recent report of the Independent Reporting Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10526/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

I welcome the publication of the report of the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) and thank the commissioners for it.While the IRC identify some positive developments, overall, the picture remains mixed. This report makes clear the unacceptable reality that paramilitary-linked intimidation, coercive control, and threats continue to exist and impact communities in Northern Ireland.2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the paramilitary ceasefires in Northern Ireland. As my colleague, Minister for Justice O'Callaghan stated on the publication of the report, it is simply unacceptable that paramilitary groups continue to exert their malign influence on communities. We are working closely together, and with the UK Government, to ensure we do everything possible to bring that to an end.The UK Government and the Government of Ireland have discussed the analysis and recommendations of the IRC with that in mind, including through meetings of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. On that basis, we have agreed to jointly appoint an Independent Expert in the period ahead to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment.It is my hope that this initiative will advance us towards our shared objective of ending paramilitarism once and for all. I know that there have been some concerns articulated in response to the announcement that we intend to appoint an Independent Expert. It is vital, however, that we are clear on what that process is and what it is not.First, there is no predetermined outcome to the process. It is a genuine scoping exercise to test whether engagement to permanently move these groups off the stage could work.Second, it is in no way about paying paramilitary groups to go away.And third, it will not affect the work of the policing and criminal justice systems to tackle paramilitary and organised crime.This is a crucial issue for Northern Ireland and will form part of my discussions with the political parties in Stormont. I met with the First Minister, deputy First Minister, and the Minister for Justice during my visit to Belfast on 28 January, among others. As I said on that occasion, I intend to be a regular visitor, and this issue will be on the agenda in my engagements with colleagues in Stormont in future.