Fitzgerald publishes bill establishing paramilitary commission

Draft legislation establishing the Independent Reporting Commission in Irish law has been published, fulfilling a key part of the Fresh Start Agreement agreed in Belfast two years ago.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the commission “will play an important role in monitoring and reporting to the Governments on actions being taken and on progress being made to end the malign influence of paramilitarism on communities in Northern Ireland”.

Ms Fitzgerald added: “In the Fresh Start Agreement, the Irish and British Governments together with the Northern Ireland Parties agreed a series of initiatives to address paramilitarism and its associated criminality. The Commission will monitor the implementation of those measures and report on progress to the two Governments.

“The Commissioners nominated by the Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive have been engaged in extensive preparatory work with a strong focus on the range of community and cross-sectoral interests in Northern Ireland.

“This Bill will give effect in law to the Commission in Ireland.”