Northern Ireland Office

Loyalism must move into the mainstream and play its part in Northern Ireland’s new political reality or it will be left behind, Political Development Minister David Hanson MP has said.

Speaking today in Armagh to an audience of faith based organisations, he said that he believed the churches had collectively played a key role in moving Northern Ireland into this new era and that they still had important role to play in the future.

David Hanson said: “Those who want to move their communities away from conflict and out of the grip of paramilitaries, and have sustainable mechanisms for doing it, should have the support and encouragement of the whole community.

“The recent Independent Monitoring Commission Report on paramilitary activity acknowledged that the leadership within Loyalism wanted to move in the right direction.

“It also noted that progress was slow and this is a real issue Loyalism has to face.

“The pace of change in Northern Ireland over the past couple of years and indeed months has been dramatic and there is a momentum that is carrying Northern Ireland to a new place.

“It is imperative that all weapons are decommissioned. There is no place for guns, no place for drug dealing, no place for extortion and no place for those who do not have the best interests of the community at heart.

“Loyalism must get into that mainstream or there is a danger that it will be left behind and the last thing those who are already disadvantaged need is to be further isolated because there are those who cling to a past that has nothing to contribute to the core values of people who simply want the best for their families, the best for their community and the chance to share in the promise of a new Northern Ireland.

“As we move towards a much more peaceful and stable society, the need for real community leadership is as strong as ever.”