Terrorism: Northern Ireland

(asked on 27th April 2021) - View Source

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.


Answered by
Robin Walker Portrait
Robin Walker
This question was answered on 29th April 2021

The threat from Northern Ireland-Related Terrorism (NIRT) continues to be SEVERE in Northern Ireland (meaning an attack is highly likely). Violent dissident republican groups continue to plan attacks aimed largely against police and prison officers and members of the armed forces. Last week’s despicable attack on a part-time officer and member of police staff is a reminder that there is a small minority whose warped mentality means they remain willing to use violence to advance their agenda.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has our full support in tackling the NIRT threat. The UK Government has provided £160 million over the last five years in Additional Security Funding and has pledged a further £32 million in this financial year.

Paramilitary groups (both loyalist and republican) continue to cause harm, including through brutal attacks against members of their own communities in an attempt to exert control. This Government remains steadfast in supporting ​efforts led by the Northern Ireland Executive to tackle paramilitarism.

We have contributed £25 million of match funding to this area over the last five years and have committed a further £5 million for this financial year and £10 million over three years specifically to support the Communities in Transition project.

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