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Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service)

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his service in the armed forces and the role that he played as an individual soldier in getting us to this position of normalisation. We are not strapped for cash. We have had a very significant settlement. The demands are unquestionably great and can grow exponentially at times, but we have to balance resources. We have laid down a considerable package. The Northern Ireland Office went through this process with the conversion of the RUC to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I cannot remember the total sum involved in that, but it was another considerable package. However, this is a debt of honour to our people and cannot be seen as compensation. To squabble about money would be unseemly. We have done what we believe to be right. It has been well received across Northern Ireland and, if not, I will hear about it from those who currently serve. We have had a flavour of how well it has been received, although there are still some concerns to be addressed. The protection of those who have gone back to civilian life is a matter for security assessment within Northern Ireland and rests with the Chief Constable. We have always shown our willingness to look after people in that part of the United Kingdom. I do not see that changing.