Terror groups' status for review

There are 14 banned Northern Ireland paramilitary organisations

The government is to review the status of banned paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, it has emerged.

Lord Carlile, the independent reviewer of terror laws, said "some proscribed organisations may have dwindled to almost or actually nothing".

The Northern Ireland Office said in a statement that a review would take place in the coming months.

It added: "Lord Carlile was referring in his report to groups he suggests no longer exist, not to the IRA."

In his annual report, Lord Carlile said: "Given the good level of intelligence probably available about such organisations, ministers should consider carefully whether some should be removed from the list on the grounds of effective redundancy."

At the moment, there are 14 banned Northern Ireland paramilitary organisations, according to the report:

• Continuity Army Council
• Cumann na mBan
• Fianna na hEireann
• Irish National Liberation Army
• Irish People's Liberation Organisation
• Irish Republican Army
• Loyalist Volunteer Force
• Orange Volunteers
• Red Hand Commando
• Red Hand Defenders
• Saor Eire
• Ulster Defence Association
• Ulster Freedom Fighters
• Ulster Volunteer Force

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, 46 international terrorist organisations are outlawed in the UK.

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