Trevor Sargent
Ceist:76 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in decommissioning by loyalist paramilitaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26249/01]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
On 18 December 1998, the LVF decommissioned a small number of weapons. In the period since, no further loyalist weapons have been decommissioned.
The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has reported that, in their discussions with the commission, representatives of the UVF and the UFF have confirmed their willingness to consider decommissioning their arms and their general agreement on methods and related supporting issues. However, both groups also affirmed that they would not move on decommissioning before the IRA did so.
Clearly, and particularly given progress in relation to IRA weapons, we need to see this work being taken forward now.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 48.