Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 23 May 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Organised Crime

Question: I am grateful to the Minister for that considered and rational reply, but is there not a danger that acts of terrorism, which have dominated Northern Ireland in recent decades, could well be replaced by crimes committed by organisations? That would undermine the peace and stability that have recently come to Northern Ireland.

Answer: The hon. Gentleman is right; we know of the connection between organised criminality and those who in the past may have been involved in paramilitary activity. However, I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Organised Crime Task Force brings all those agencies together to defeat those involved in organised crime. Indeed, yesterday I chaired a meeting of the Organised Crime Task Force stakeholder group, which brings business and law enforcement groups together. We will deal with organised crime, in order to eradicate it from Northern Ireland.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 460 c1267-8
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Northern Ireland Organised crime Crime prevention Organised Crime Task Force
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk