Paramilitary watchdog officially launched

The Independent Reporting Commission, which was established under the Fresh Start Agreement of 2015 to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity has been officially launched.

The commissioners, who have been operating informally since January 2017, are John McBurney, Monica McWilliams, Tim O’Connor, and Mitchell Reiss.

The Fresh Start Agreement designed a comprehensive policy framework for bringing about an end to paramilitarism, and the Commission is an important instrument in its delivery.

The IRC’s overarching objective is to promote progress towards ending paramilitary activity, support long term peace and stability and enable stable and inclusive devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

In playing its part to deliver the vision of Fresh Start for the “continued transformation of our society”, the Commission will report on the progress to end paramilitary activity, through criminal justice interventions alongside societal focused measures.

Among its activities the IRC will monitor progress on the implementation of the Executive Action Plan on tackling paramilitary activity, criminality and organised crime. It will be essential that delivery on this plan takes a whole of government approach and is transformational.

In carrying out its functions, the IRC will consult the Irish Government and relevant law enforcement agencies, the UK Government and relevant law enforcement agencies and, in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, other statutory agencies, local councils, communities and civic society organisations.

After a series of informal meetings over the past few months, the Commissioners are now embarking on an intensive series of meetings with key stakeholders. The IRC will report annually, or as requested by the UK and Irish Governments.

Welcoming the launch, Commissioner John McBurney said: “I look forward to working with my colleagues on this essential part of the process of delivering Northern Ireland society into a peaceful future. While there have been challenges in recent times, the overall direction of travel in Northern Ireland remains positive, and the IRC aims to make a positive contribution.”

Commissioner Monica McWilliams added: “The IRC will focus on promoting and supporting practical and effective measures to help end the coercive control of paramilitaries and to bring about a more peaceful society. We have embarked on a long term initiative with the full backing of both governments, local organisations and communities and we look forward to producing our first report in the coming months.”

Commissioner Tim O’Connor said: “The outworkings of the Fresh Start Agreement, including the establishment of the IRC places the ending of paramilitarism in a comprehensive policy framework for the first time.

“I believe that the IRC can make a significant contribution to that journey, and look forward to playing my part, along with my fellow Commissioners, in its important work.”

Commissioner Mitchell Reiss added: “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to play a role in creating a safe and prosperous Northern Ireland with the establishment of the IRC. I hope the Commission’s initiatives will help to bring about the continued transformation envisioned by the British and Irish Governments, the local political parties and the citizens of Northern Ireland.”