Governments urged to establish paramilitary disbandment process
An independent expert report calls for a formal, time-limited mechanism to support paramilitary groups transitioning towards disbandment. The recommendation, welcomed by Irish and UK ministers, emphasises collaboration to ensure lasting peace in Northern Ireland.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 2 min read
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has expressed his support for the recently published Independent Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment. The report is the result of extensive work by expert Fleur Ravensbergen, who was appointed jointly by the Irish and UK governments in September 2025 to evaluate the feasibility and support for a formal process enabling paramilitary groups to transition towards disbandment.
The report advocates for the immediate creation of an independent, time-bound transition mechanism designed to facilitate, monitor, and verify progress in disbanding paramilitary groups. It stresses that this mechanism should complement existing criminal justice efforts and address the socio-economic factors contributing to paramilitary persistence. Minister O’Callaghan highlighted the importance of civil society input, particularly from victims and affected communities, and reiterated that no funding should be allocated to paramilitary groups during the transition.
Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee also welcomed the findings, emphasising that paramilitarism has no place in modern society and underlining the significance of this step towards fulfilling the promises of the Good Friday Agreement. Both ministers committed to working closely with their UK counterparts, including Secretary of State Chris Bryant, to carefully consider and implement the report’s recommendations. The full report is accessible on the Independent Reporting Commission’s website.
The report advocates for the immediate creation of an independent, time-bound transition mechanism designed to facilitate, monitor, and verify progress in disbanding paramilitary groups. It stresses that this mechanism should complement existing criminal justice efforts and address the socio-economic factors contributing to paramilitary persistence. Minister O’Callaghan highlighted the importance of civil society input, particularly from victims and affected communities, and reiterated that no funding should be allocated to paramilitary groups during the transition.
Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee also welcomed the findings, emphasising that paramilitarism has no place in modern society and underlining the significance of this step towards fulfilling the promises of the Good Friday Agreement. Both ministers committed to working closely with their UK counterparts, including Secretary of State Chris Bryant, to carefully consider and implement the report’s recommendations. The full report is accessible on the Independent Reporting Commission’s website.
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