Severe threat from IRA splinter groups

“The terrorist groups continue to pose an indiscriminate threat to the lives of police officers and the general public, who just want to go about their lives without fear, disruption or intimidation,” he told the House of Commons recently.

He told Parliament he takes the threat extremely seriously and will not underestimate it.

“As I said earlier, we endorsed an extra £50 million package last year for the PSNI and we have negotiated an exceptional four-year plan of £200 million over the coming years.

“I know that Matt Baggott, the Chief Constable, to whom I spoke this morning, is already putting those funds to very good use. We are determined to bear down on that small number of wholly unrepresentative, dangerous people,” he stated

Labour MP David Hanson voiced concern after more than 100 bombings over the past year saying he believed it was clear supply of weapons and explosives was coming from outside Northern Ireland.

“Will he work with the Executive, the Home Office, the Irish authorities and, indeed, international authorities to ensure that he does everything possible to stem the supply of such material from outside Northern Ireland?” asked Mr Hanson.

The Secretary of State replied: “He is absolutely right that we must make sure that at every level of government we work to stem the flow of fresh arms into Northern Ireland.

“We now have unprecedented co-operation. That is the case not only between the Westminster Government and the Northern Ireland Executive - I pay tribute to all those who have recently been elected to the Executive, and I am delighted that David Ford, whom I spoke to this morning, has been re-elected - but there is also exceptional co-operation with the Garda. I discussed this matter with the Home Secretary yesterday as well, so we are clearly working at all levels.”