ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT

Early day motion 1141, tabled 6 May 2003 by Iris Robinson (DUP). Signed by 10 members.

That this House calls upon the Government to recognise the tremendous bravery and professionalism of the members of the Royal Irish Regiment; congratulates those members of the RIR who have successfully been involved in coalition efforts to free Iraq from Saddam Hussein's control; notes with deep concern the recently released joint declaration by the British Government and the Government of the Irish Republic, supported by the Ulster Unionist Party negotiators, which indicates that the Royal Irish Regiment Home Battalions are to be disbanded; and warns the Government not to repeat the mistake it made when the RUC was sacrificed to pander to Irish Republican demands; and calls upon the Government to publicly safeguard the future of the Regiment at its present strength.

Signatures by party: DUP 5, Conservative 3, Liberal Democrat 2.