Expert appointed for paramilitary disbandment talks

A number of dissident republican groups are still active

The British and Irish governments have appointed a conflict resolution expert to explore the merits of talks with paramilitary groups about disbandment.

Fleur Ravensbergen is based at the University of Amsterdam.

She could meet representatives of loyalist and republican organisations over the coming months and will deliver a report next August.

Justice minister Naomi Long described the move as inappropriate.

The Justice Minister said talks with paramilitary groups is not "the appropriate approach"

The two governments first announced the idea in February.

Ms Ravensbergen will assess whether "there is merit in and support for" a formal process of engagement and report back to London and Dublin.

The governments said, among others, she will meet victims of paramilitary activity.

Long repeated her opposition to the idea in a statement issued by the Alliance Party.

She said: "We do not believe that this is the appropriate approach.

"Twenty-eight years after the Good Friday Agreement, the route to ending paramilitarism has to be through more robust law enforcement, coupled with more targeted community relations work to tackle vulnerability and the harms they cause.

"There can be no negotiation or sweeteners involved."

Sinn Fein said paramilitary groups should immediately disband.

Its north Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly added: "Any process must not prolong the existence of these unwanted paramilitaries and they must also not be financially rewarded for leaving the stage."