SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that the Paramilitary Panel Report must be matched by a fresh gear change in the war on organised crime.
Speaking after the report was published, he said: “I want to acknowledge the work of the three members of the Panel and their particular contribution to shaping a Northern Ireland that is different from the past.
“As the SDLP has received the report, it will be fully interrogated and a full response issued.
“That said, there are many recommendations that the SDLP will endorse. The proposals to work with young people and areas at risk are timely and is consistent with the views the SDLP outlined to the Panel.
“There are other proposals where we will need to understand what they mean and whether they are the proper responses to what is faced in too many places.
“The SDLP also agrees with the panel about addressing the past. Victims and Survivors continue to be let down.
“The SDLP however puts down a marker that we need to address the past in a way that lives up to the needs of Victims and Survivors and does not let them down again.
“One major measure of the Report is whether there is a fresh gear change in the war on organised crime and the confrontation of paramilitarism in any part of our society.
“Robust criminal interventions, new powers, seizure of assets and hard penalties are measures of that gear change. The party will support law, policy and resources that address these requirements.
“The SDLP know that people and groups have been in transition. There has been time and opportunity to complete the journey but some cling to the past.
“People and groups which do so should put themselves out of business or be put out of business.
“Even as some argue, people and groups should be assisted to do so, this cannot be a political merry-go-round. There must be decisive evidence of a conclusive change.”