This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7032321.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
UDA won't recognise arms deadline UDA won't recognise arms deadline
(20 minutes later)
The Ulster Defence Association has confirmed it is sticking to its own timetable on getting rid of its weapons, despite a Tuesday deadline.The Ulster Defence Association has confirmed it is sticking to its own timetable on getting rid of its weapons, despite a Tuesday deadline.
NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said the paramilitaries had begun "meaningful" talks with the decommissioning body.NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said the paramilitaries had begun "meaningful" talks with the decommissioning body.
Social development minister Margaret Ritchie had threatened to block £1.2m from a loyalist project, and said this could be redirected to other areas. Social development minister Margaret Ritchie had threatened to block £1.2m from a loyalist project.
She said she would judge the situation "in the round" after Tuesday. She warned this could be redirected to help loyalist areas "yearning to escape the shackles of paramilitarism".
The funding was aimed at helping to move the paramilitary organisation away from violence, but Ms Ritchie set a 60-day deadline in August following violence in Carrickfergus and Bangor linked to the UDA. The funding was aimed at helping to move the paramilitary organisation away from violence.
Once we get an inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on Frankie GallagherUlster Political Research Group class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6479293.stm">UDA bites at huge cash carrot Ms Ritchie told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday that this money could be redirected to different projects tackling poverty in loyalist areas. Ms Ritchie set the 60-day decommissioning deadline in August following trouble in Carrickfergus and Bangor linked to the UDA.
"I have seen very high levels of deprivation - people who are yearning to have the shackles of paramilitarism removed," she said. Once we get an inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on Frankie GallagherUlster Political Research Group class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6479293.stm">UDA bites at huge cash carrot She told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday that this money could be redirected to different projects tackling poverty in disadvantaged loyalist areas.
"What I will do is quite simple: I will redirect funding if there is no decommissioning."What I will do is quite simple: I will redirect funding if there is no decommissioning.
"What we have had is engagement with General De Chastelain (of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) some 13 years after the ceasefires, and we have not yet seen a start to getting rid of its arms and arsenal.""What we have had is engagement with General De Chastelain (of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) some 13 years after the ceasefires, and we have not yet seen a start to getting rid of its arms and arsenal."
However, Frankie Gallagher of the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group, reiterated the group would decommission in its own time. She admitted that Mr Woodward's statement had put some pressure on her, but she insisted she would make the final decision on the funding.
"There is some pressure there, but I have set my deadline and it is up to the minister for social development to do the monitoring and make the decision at the end of the day."
However, Frankie Gallagher of the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group reiterated the group would decommission in its own time.
This statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadlineThis statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadline
He told the programme "deadlines are never kept" but pressure works to an extent.He told the programme "deadlines are never kept" but pressure works to an extent.
"What the UDA needs, what all the people in Northern Ireland need is a fully inclusive society," he said."What the UDA needs, what all the people in Northern Ireland need is a fully inclusive society," he said.
"Once we get that inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on.""Once we get that inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on."
On Saturday, Mr Woodward welcomed the fact that "meaningful engagement and negotiations have started".On Saturday, Mr Woodward welcomed the fact that "meaningful engagement and negotiations have started".
Loyalist sources insist that a process is underway that could lead to decommissioning at a later date, and it appears that Mr Woodward has endorsed this view.Loyalist sources insist that a process is underway that could lead to decommissioning at a later date, and it appears that Mr Woodward has endorsed this view.
The UDA has been meeting the commission led by General John De Chastelain for more than two years.The UDA has been meeting the commission led by General John De Chastelain for more than two years.
Earlier, Alliance Party leader David Ford said Mr Woodward's "unhelpful statement" showed a "lack of respect" for the devolved institutions and Ms Ritchie's work.Earlier, Alliance Party leader David Ford said Mr Woodward's "unhelpful statement" showed a "lack of respect" for the devolved institutions and Ms Ritchie's work.
"This statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadline," he said."This statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadline," he said.