Report recommends UK and Irish governments negotiate paramilitary disbandment in Northern Ireland

Independent report finds 'window of opportunity' for formal transition but justice minister warns against legitimising criminal groups

By LineZotpaper

Published14 October 2026

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The British and Irish governments should engage directly with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland to negotiate their disbandment, according to an independent report published on Tuesday. The report, commissioned by both governments and authored by Dutch conflict resolution expert Fleur Ravensbergen, concluded that a formal transition mechanism for loyalist and republican groups is viable under certain conditions, though it warned that such groups should not receive financial rewards for participating.

The Independent Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment, released on Tuesday, recommends establishing a structured process to wind up residual paramilitary structures that have persisted since the 1998 Good Friday agreement. The agreement was expected to see these groups fade, but some evolved into criminal enterprises involved in drug dealing, extortion and coercive control.

Fleur Ravensbergen, a lecturer in conflict resolution and governance at the University of Amsterdam, said she found "significant willingness to engage" among paramilitaries during a year-long scoping exercise. Presenting the report in Belfast, she stated: "I have concluded that there is sufficient merit in and support for a formal process of paramilitary group transition."

Ravensbergen noted that there was "limited support for the term 'disbandment' as the endpoint of a transition process" but added that objections appeared to be about wording rather than outcomes. "I believe that the risks of the persistence of paramilitary structures, continued drift and unmanaged fragmentation outweigh the risks associated with attempting a structured and time-bound transition process," she said. "Inaction is not a neutral option."

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant thanked Ravensbergen and said the government was committed to ending paramilitarism. "While these groups may pose as protectors of their communities, they are largely engaged in criminality including drug dealing, extortion and intimidation, blighting the very communities they perversely claim to protect," Bryant said. He added that the government would consider the report and consult with Dublin before responding.

However, the report has drawn criticism from Naomi Long, Northern Ireland's justice minister and a member of the Alliance party. Long criticised Ravensbergen's appointment as an interlocutor last year, arguing that engagement with paramilitary and criminal groups risked granting them legitimacy. "The idea that paramilitary groups can transition into law-abiding entities has long since moved beyond the point of credibility," Long said at the time. "They cannot continue to be treated as if they are genuinely committed to reform – that moment passed long ago."

The report did not identify individuals or specific organisations, as discussions were held on a confidential basis. It noted that the nature and extent of paramilitary influence vary considerably between groups, communities and geographical areas.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland continue to engage in drug dealing, extortion and intimidation, affecting the safety and wellbeing of local communities.
The report proposes a formal transition process that could reduce paramilitary influence, but the political response will determine whether meaningful progress is possible.
A failure to act risks allowing these structures to persist or fragment, potentially undermining the broader peace process established by the Good Friday agreement.

Background

Paramilitary groups on both sides of Northern Ireland's political divide were expected to disband after the 1998 Good Friday agreement ended the bulk of violent conflict. Instead, some endured and evolved into organised crime networks. Despite repeated calls for disbandment, no formal mechanism has been put in place. The UK and Irish governments commissioned this independent report to explore whether a structured transition process is feasible.

Key Perspectives

UK and Irish governments: Both governments commissioned the report and appear open to considering a formal transition mechanism. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant welcomed the findings and said the government is committed to ending paramilitarism. Fleur Ravensbergen and supporters of engagement: The report argues that a window of opportunity exists and that the risks of inaction outweigh the risks of attempting a structured process. Ravensbergen found willingness among paramilitaries to engage, suggesting a negotiated solution is possible. Critics (including Naomi Long): Justice Minister Long argues that engaging with paramilitary groups risks legitimising them and that these groups are not genuinely committed to reform. There is concern that formal negotiations could give a veneer of credibility to criminal organisations.

What to Watch

The UK government's formal response to the report and whether it initiates talks with the Irish government on next steps.
Reactions from political parties in Northern Ireland, particularly unionist and nationalist parties, which may differ on the approach.
Any indication of conditions the paramilitary groups or governments might set for entering a transition process.

Sources

British and Irish governments ‘should negotiate paramilitary disbandment in Northern Ireland’ — UK news | The Guardian