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<p>We are aware of recent media coverage of this issue. Monitoring of the continuing
threat posed by proscribed organisations in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Police
Service of Northern Ireland and security partners who continue to work to keep the
people of Northern Ireland safe. The UK Government remains committed to the Fresh
Start Agreement goal of a society free of paramilitarism, including through the disbandment
of all paramilitary organisations and their structures. Paramilitarism was never justified
in the past and it isn’t justified today.</p><p> </p><p>Paramilitary groups and the
individuals involved in them cause harm to their communities in ways that are obvious
- such as violent attacks - and in ways that are less obvious - using intimidation
and fear to exert influence and control. They hold their own communities back, deter
investment and jobs and prevent people from moving forward with their lives.</p><p>
</p><p>The UK Government supports the NI Executive’s Tackling Paramilitarism Programme,
which is working to tackle the presence of paramilitaries through evidence-based early
interventions, targeted law enforcement measures and initiatives that provide direct
support to help build safer communities resilient to paramilitarism. The UK Government
has committed to provide 50% of the funding for the Programme - approximately £8m
per year - through to March 2025.</p><p> </p>
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