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02/09/2005
Reid 'left in no doubt' over DUP stance on RIR
DUP leader Ian Paisley has met with the Secretary of State for Defence John Reid in London to discuss the axing of the home battalions of the Royal Irish regiment (RIR).
The Government confirmed last month that three of the the RIR's battalions are to be disbanded as part of its 'normalisation' programme in response to the recent IRA statement.
However, speaking after Thursday's meeting, Dr Paisley said the Secretary of Defence was "left in no doubt" about his party's attitude on the future of the Regiment.
"These plans are seen by many as an act of appeasement that has more to do with pleasing republicans than it has to do with the security of the law abiding citizens who look to the Government for protection from terrorism" the North Antrim MP said.
"The Government is in no doubt that we will not be settling for second best on this issue. Failure to deal with the issues we have raised will have very serious consequences. The time for action on these issues is now and the Government had better get on with it.”
Dr Paisley was joined at the meeting by party colleagues Jeffrey Donaldson MP, William McCrea MP, Gregory Campbell MP, and Maurice Morrow MLA.
The move to axe the home batallions of the RIR will affect some 3,000 troops many of whom are part-time.
Overall, as part of the Government's normalisation plan following the IRA statement declaring the armed campaign has ended, troop levels in the province are to be reduced by more than half, from over 10,000 to around 5,000 inside two years.
The DUP are seeking a suitable severance package for the soldiers affected by the cuts.
(MB/SP)
The Government confirmed last month that three of the the RIR's battalions are to be disbanded as part of its 'normalisation' programme in response to the recent IRA statement.
However, speaking after Thursday's meeting, Dr Paisley said the Secretary of Defence was "left in no doubt" about his party's attitude on the future of the Regiment.
"These plans are seen by many as an act of appeasement that has more to do with pleasing republicans than it has to do with the security of the law abiding citizens who look to the Government for protection from terrorism" the North Antrim MP said.
"The Government is in no doubt that we will not be settling for second best on this issue. Failure to deal with the issues we have raised will have very serious consequences. The time for action on these issues is now and the Government had better get on with it.”
Dr Paisley was joined at the meeting by party colleagues Jeffrey Donaldson MP, William McCrea MP, Gregory Campbell MP, and Maurice Morrow MLA.
The move to axe the home batallions of the RIR will affect some 3,000 troops many of whom are part-time.
Overall, as part of the Government's normalisation plan following the IRA statement declaring the armed campaign has ended, troop levels in the province are to be reduced by more than half, from over 10,000 to around 5,000 inside two years.
The DUP are seeking a suitable severance package for the soldiers affected by the cuts.
(MB/SP)
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