Loyalists 'need time' after IRA peace process moves

Loyalists need to be given time and space to sort out their future direction following recent peace process moves by the IRA, Progressive Unionist leader David Irvine said today.

The Belfast Assembly member, who will meet Northern Ireland Office Security Minister Shaun Woodward, was speaking after his party voted to keep its link with the Ulster Volunteer Force which has been engaged in violence this year against the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force.

The UVF has also since January been debating its future in anticipation of recent IRA moves declaring an end to the Provisional’s armed campaign and completing disarmament.

Mr Irvine said: “The PUP sees a substantial opportunity for moving things forward which we would like to see accessed.

“It is for this reason that we have sought a meeting with the Taoiseach and with the Secretary of State (for Northern Ireland Peter Hain).

“It is why we are meeting Mr Woodward tomorrow.”

Mr Irvine welcomed comments by Bertie Ahern yesterday that loyalists needed time to work through their own future plans.

“The Taoiseach’ s comments are in stark relief to the comments of the SDLP in recent times,” the east Belfast MLA.

“Time has to be given to this project and that is instantly more preferable than just finger-waving.”