Ravensbergen appointed independent expert
Fleur Ravensbergen has been appointed to the role of independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise on disbanding paramilitarism in the North.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn made the announcement today (23 September), following a joint selection process.
Both administrations announced in February that they would jointly appoint an independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there was merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary groups' transition to disbandment.
The independent expert will take up the role today, within the existing Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) legislative framework, and is expected to complete the scoping and engagement exercise and submit a report by mid-August 2026.
'Time is right'
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “It is vital that we are doing all that we can to end paramilitarism.
“I am convinced that the time is right to test whether there is the basis for paramilitary group transition to disbandment.”