To ask the Minister of Justice to detail the elements of the Tackling Paramilitarism Action Plan which will be used to investigate and help prevent further instances of the rioting and antisocial behaviour seen on Northern Ireland’s streets in recent weeks.

As the member will be aware, any investigations relating to criminal activity are an operational matter for the PSNI, and I respect the Chief Constable’s operational independence on this matter.

It should also be noted that whilst members linked to paramilitary crime gangs have been present during some of the disorder, the PSNI have stated that there is no evidence of paramilitary orchestration of much of the violence we witnessed.

We are all aware that antisocial behaviour and rioting has a negative impact on a community and individuals, and has significant consequences for those who engage in it. It requires a collaborative response from across government in partnership with communities to support individuals at risk and to address underlying issues. I am pleased that there are many initiatives under the Tackling Paramilitarism, Crime and Organised Crime Programme which adopt that approach, and while these are not the only initiatives which will address the issues that we have seen in recent weeks, they have a role in addressing this behaviour.

The Programme is supporting a number of projects which focus on young people. These include early intervention projects, diversionary programmes, projects which provide direct support for those at risk, and multi-agency initiatives to co-ordinate efforts to support young people. These include the following projects: START led by Education Authority (EA); WRAP led by Department of Education; Aspire led by the Probation Board; Fresh Start Through Sport, CRISP, and Galliagh Family Support led by the Department for Communities; educational aspiration projects led by The Executive Office through Communities in Transition; the Mid and East Antrim Support Hub; and the Common Purpose initiative between EA and PSNI.

To supplement these interventions, place-based working will be developed further over the coming months and conversations have started with community partners to identify and work to address shared priorities there, some of which will have a positive impact on anti-community activity.