The government is looking at alternatives

Seventeen people have been killed by plastic and rubber bullets throughout the Troubles.

Wednesday's announcement follows a report from Northern Ireland's Human Rights Commission that said the bullets being used at present were more lethal than the type they replaced.

The L21A1 baton rounds were intended to provide greater accuracy for police and soldiers in riot control when they were introduced in June 2001.

Independent research found that more than 10% of new L21A1 rounds caused injury, compared with a 1.14% injury rate with the previous rounds.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy said it remained the government's objective to prevent situations where baton rounds may be needed.

That work is intended to find an acceptable and effective less lethal alternative to the current round Jane Kennedy Security Minister

"In the great majority of police districts, where there has been no sustained major public disorder, no rounds have been fired for five years or more," she said.

"Building on that is our objective. With good policing and the support of the community it can be achieved."

The minister also outlined what would happen in the event of a failure to find a viable alternative to the plastic baton by the end of the year.

She said the government would consult research and review the options for less lethal alternatives, "consulting widely with a range of interested parties including the chief constable and the Policing Board".

"In close consultation with the board, the government will progress with urgent developmental work that has been commissioned by the research programme set up to take forward the Patten Report's recommendations 69 and 70.

"That work is intended to find an acceptable and effective less lethal alternative to the current round."

'Key issue'

Sinn Fein described the statement from the government as a "forward movement".

Policing spokesman Gerry Kelly said his party raised the issue at recent talks with the British and Irish Governments at Hillsborough Castle.

"We have made clear that the ending of the use of plastic bullets is a key issue for Sinn Fein and the nationalist community," said Mr Kelly.

"Plastic bullets have maimed and killed and many of the victims have been young children.

"Sinn Fein welcomes this progress but we will continue to press for the total end of the use of these lethal weapons."

The woman who founded the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets group said it was welcome news if it happened.

Clara Reilly said: "It is the result of long hard campaigning by families who have been bereaved as a result of plastic bullets and those who have supported their calls.

"We dedicate this to the memory of those who lost their innocent lives and mutilated so needlessly as a result of the use of this evil weapon."