Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 4 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 March 2010. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 15 March 2010 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made an estimate of the amount of money which has been provided by individuals and organisations in the US to dissident Republican terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; what steps have been taken with the US administration to prevent any such payments being made; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.There is no evidence that the US represents a significant source of funding or other support for dissident republicans. In terms of prevention, both RIRA and CIRA have been designated 'Foreign Terrorist Organisations' by the US Government. This makes it unlawful for a person in the US or subject to the jurisdiction of the US to knowingly provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. It also requires any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which a designated foreign terrorist organisation or its agent has an interest, to retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury.

Secondary information