Dissident threat very real

The discovery of the 600llb bomb in South Armagh is a sinister development and one that demonstrates that the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland is very real. Those who would carry out such an act have no regard for human life and shouldn't just be dismissed as a 'small, unrepresentative minority.' They represent a threat and they need to be put out of business quickly and efficiently.

It is for this reason that the UUP would support any calls from the PSNI for additional resources - if this should be technical support from the Army then this is something we would be in favour of. We will, however, look to the PSNI for guidance and we will support the police to protect the public. If this includes the use of specialist expertise to foil further bomb-plots then so be it. The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to ensuring a peaceful society for everyone in Northern Ireland. Political stability cannot be built against a background of ongoing threats from any terrorist organisation.

The discovery of this bomb has raised many questions about police resources and how they are dealing with the dissident threat. The UUP however believes that the priority question is what runs parallel to this. In recent weeks we have witnessed the proposed closure of rural police stations many in perceived 'republican' areas. Before his departure the former Chief Constable ensured the abolition of the PSNI Full Time Reserve. In relation to personal protection weapons - it appears that those law abiding citizens who legally hold their firearms are being punished by having their weapons removed. All of this is making the Unionist community feel particularly vulnerable at this time.

Northern Ireland has come a very long way in the past decade and is certainly a much better place to live than it was. But it is much too early to conclude that we have addressed and solved all of our problems. Until we can say that, it remains our view that it is very foolish to construct a security strategy based on hope rather than hard-headed reality.