Secretary of State welcomes Independent Reporting Commission report on tackling paramilitary activity

Welcoming the report, Mr Smith said:

I have received the second substantive report from the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC).

The IRC emanated from the Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015. The Agreement set out the Northern Ireland Executive’s commitments around tackling paramilitary activity and associated criminality. This work continues to be taken forward through a Northern Ireland Executive Action Plan which contains 43 recommendations.

This second substantive report builds on the work already undertaken by the Commissioners. While the report provides an update on progress achieved to date, the Commission rightly continues to remind us of the challenging work still to be done. Also, as my predecessor referenced last year, the absence of a functioning Executive continues to have an adverse impact on delivery of this important work. I remain resolute in finding a way forward in relation to that.

I would like to thank the Commissioners for all of their work to date.