Publication of the Twentieth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission

The Government today published the Twentieth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission.

The Report sets out the Commission’s assessment of the activities of paramilitary groups in the six month period from 1 March 2008 to 31August 2008.

Dealing with dissident republican groups, the Report states that there has been an increase in the activities of these groups. A particularly worrying aspect is the Commission’s assessment that they have turned their efforts to trying to kill PSNI officers. However, effective actions by the PSNI and An Garda Síochána have been successful in disrupting dissident operations and in carrying out arrests.

Speaking about the threat posed by dissident groups, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD said:  "These groups have no mandate – they represent only themselves.  Their criminal activities should leave no doubt about their priorities.  Members of these groups need to leave behind their failed ideology, move on and join the rest of the people of this island in rejecting violence and in building a better, more inclusive, society, to the benefit of all."

The Minister also noted the Commission’s assessment of the Loyalist groups, in particular the moves being made to end criminality among its members. The decommissioning issue, he said, must be addressed.

The Report again refers to the transition to normality in Northern Ireland. Welcoming the Commission’s view that the devolution of justice and policing would be an indication of progress towards a peaceful society and the creation of a stable and inclusive government in Northern Ireland, the Minister said:  "It is time for the parties to take this opportunity to complete the process of devolution."

The Report is available on the Department’s website – www.justice.ie – or www.independentmonitoringcommission.org.

10 November 2008