The leaders of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government left for Brussels today for a two-day visit aimed at forging closer links with the European Union.

All paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland must disband and the problem of sectarianism be deplored, thousands of people attending trade union peace rallies in Northern Ireland were told today.

The scaling down of military installations in Northern Ireland is making its population more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, hardline unionists are expected to hear this weekend.