---

Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service)

I apologise to my right hon. Friend the Minister for not hearing the beginning of his statement, but I welcome what he has announced. I visited the Royal Irish with the armed forces parliamentary scheme only seven weeks ago, when we were all immensely impressed by the regiment’s long history and tradition and by the perceptions of the future that some of the men revealed in conversation with us. They were aware that the decision that has been taken was necessary, and were proud of the fact that they had a role to play in the change that is taking place in Northern Ireland. Will my right hon. Friend comment on the fact that, although the Army still flies police officers into Crossmaglen, some Army officers think that that may no longer be necessary? When does he hope that it might be possible for a further normalisation of police activities to mean that the intervention of the armed forces is no longer required?