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The possibility of budget cuts to the police and community services could harm efforts to combat paramilitaries, the parliamentarians warned. Members of the Independent Reports Commission (IRC) issued the warning when they addressed the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. The IRC was set up jointly by the UK and Irish governments to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.
In the absence of a Stormont operating executive, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris is responsible for setting the budget for Northern Ireland.
There are youth services that divert young people from being drawn into these paramilitary groups, there are youth services that are now on their knees in terms of funding.
When the budget is announced, departments will face major cuts due to a nearly £300m cost overrun on public finances last year.
The IRC's John McBurney said it would undermine the goal of tackling paramilitary activity if the PSNI suffered major cuts.
"It will be very, very damaging if funding is cut for the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, it will be very, very damaging to the whole effort to crack down on paramilitaries and terrorism in Northern Ireland," he said.
“If neighborhood watch is significantly reduced, it will be very, very disruptive to the whole business.
"And I think the police chief and his team of senior officers appreciate that very, very carefully."
The IRC commissioners were giving evidence to the committee on the effects of paramilitary activity and organized crime on Northern Irish society.
The terror threat level in Northern Ireland rose last month, meaning an attack is highly likely.
Mr. McBurney said that the IRC's work depended on the continuation of community programs against paramilitaries.
We know these are tough economic times, but we ask that you continue to put your offices to work to ensure these resources are protected.
"We can't do all of this and then find that the structures that were put in place to move all of this forward wither on the vine and even disappear."
McBurney also said that cuts to community groups that aim to prevent youth from becoming involved in paramilitary crimes were leaving these groups "emaciated."
“There are youth services that are diverting young people from being drawn into these paramilitary groups, there are youth services that are now on their knees in terms of funding,” he said.
M. McBurney ajouté: «Ce sont des travailleurs de jeunesse qui ont fait un travail remarquable pour détourner les jeunes de l'entraînement dans ces paramilitary groups et les détourner des ennuis aux moments critiques pour diverses raisons, liées à differents événements tout au long of the year.
“We are taking a step back and seeing the emaciation of these people, the dwindling of their resources and all of that is a very, very big concern if we are really going to prioritize ending paramilitarism.”
IRC Commissioner Tim O'Connor has appealed directly to the committee chairman, Conservative MP Simon Hoare, to ensure PSNI resources are "protected" from expectations of budget cuts.
"We implore you through your good offices, and I know you had the Secretary of State with you earlier in the week, that we must, at every opportunity, continue to emphasize how fundamentally important it is that resources continue to be provided, in this case the PSNI, but also all the other dimensions, because this problem proved to be resilient,” he said.
If you don't address it with mental health services, employability, future opportunities, you're not going to make the transition
“We know these are tough times financially, but we ask that you continue to bring your offices there to ensure these resources are protected.”
Mr. Hoare replied: "We will do our best, no doubt."
Alliance MP Stephen Farry questioned commissioners about the impact of the 'budget crisis' on the fight against paramilitary activity.
O'Connor said that cutting resources to combat paramilitaries could jeopardize the path to a peaceful society.
“As part of the anti-paramilitary program, all the various initiatives that have been taken, we now have an established framework, if I may use that word, to carry this out,” he said.
"And I think it would be a huge mistake, now if we were to somehow start harnessing the resources, they are needed more than ever, if we are to get to the completely peaceful society that we have all been fighting for."
IRC Commissioner Monica McWilliams also said community and youth services were needed to help members of paramilitary groups transition.
"If you don't address it with mental health services, employability, opportunities for the future, then you won't get the transition," he said.
"And if that is cut off, especially youth services, which I just found out today, what kind of services are we going to provide this summer?"
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