Both the Chief Constable and I take seriously the security of all those in Northern Ireland considered to be at risk. In accordance with the state's article 2 obligations, protection is provided commensurate with the threat. I regularly discuss changes to the threat profile with my security advisers.
While the most recent Independent Monitoring Commission report confirms that the number of shooting casualties is down on the preceding six months period, my Department will continue to work with the PSNI and other agencies in an effort to reduce the level of such criminality.
The information is not available in the format requested. Conviction data are collated by offence, but there are no offences provided for by legislation that relate specifically to paramilitary-style shootings.
It is possible, however, to provide information on the number of casualties resulting from paramilitary-style shootings. In 2008-09, there were 20 such casualties, two of which were attributed to loyalists and 18 to republicans.
(2) how many attacks involving (a) petrol bombs, (b) blast bombs, (c) paint bombs and (d) pipe bombs there were in Northern Ireland in each month of the last five years;
(3) how many (a) petrol, (b) pipe, (c) blast and (d) paint bombs were recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of last 12 months;
(4) how many members of dissident republican groups have been arrested in the last two years;
(5) how many people have been arrested for offences in connection with the activities of loyalist paramilitary groups in the last five years;
(6) how many people arrested for offences in connection with the activities of (a) dissident republican groups and (b) loyalist paramilitaries in the last 12 months had (i) a gun licence and (ii) licensed weapons at the time of arrest;
(7) how many legally-owned weapons have been confiscated in connection with (a) dissident republican and (b) loyalist paramilitary activities in the last 12 months;
(8) how many vehicles have been hijacked by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitaries in each of the last 12 months;
(9) how many (a) attempted, (b) threatened and (c) completed attacks there have been by dissident republicans on police stations in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
(10) how many (a) attempted, (b) threatened and (c) completed attacks there have been by dissident republicans on schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
(11) how many (a) attempted, (b) threatened and (c) actual attacks there have been by dissident republicans on army bases in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
(12) how many barrack buster mortars have been recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last five years;
(13) how many attacks by dissident republicans have involved barrack buster mortars in the last five years;
(14) how many video cameras have been seized by the Police Service of Northern Ireland from dissident republicans in the last 12 months;
(15) how many times (a) the Army and (b) the RAF have been asked to provide assistance to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months;
(16) how many police vehicles in Northern Ireland have been (a) damaged and (b) taken out of service due to criminal acts in each month of the last five years; and what the cost to the public purse has been;
(17) how many death threats were issued to former members of the (a) Police Service of Northern Ireland, (b) Royal Ulster Constabulary and (c) Ulster Defence Regiment by (i) dissident republicans and (ii) loyalist paramilitaries in each month of the last four years;
(18) what damage has been sustained by Land Rovers used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland whilst on patrol in Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary activity in each of the last 12 months;
(19) what damage has been sustained by soft top vehicles used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland whilst on patrol in Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary activity in each of the last 12 months;
(20) how many threats have been issued by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitaries against off-duty members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months;
(21) what recorded attempts have been made by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups to acquire weapons and munitions using legitimate gun licence holders in the last 12 months;
(22) how many threats have been issued by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups against named individuals (i) in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and (ii) not in the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
(23) how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been injured by paramilitary activity whilst on duty in each month of the last two years;
(24) how many times Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have come under (a) attack and (b) attempted attack from an explosive device whilst (i) on duty and (ii) off duty in the last 12 months;
(25) how many times in the last 12 months Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have come under gun fire whilst (a) on duty and (b) off duty;
(26) what percentage of calls answered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland related to counter-terrorism activities in the latest period for which figures are available;
(27) how many police dogs were (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of paramilitary activity in each month of the last five years;
(28) how many times Police Service of Northern Ireland officers (a) drew and (b) fired weapons in each month of the last five years;
(29) how many threats have been issued by (a) loyalist paramilitaries and (b) dissident republicans against former members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
As these are operational matters for the Chief Constable, I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman, and will arrange for a copy of his letters to be placed in the Library of the House.
It would be inappropriate to comment on what are security and intelligence matters.
Both the Chief Constable and I take seriously the security of all those in Northern Ireland considered to be at risk. In accordance with the state's article 2 obligations, protection is provided commensurate with the threat. I regularly discuss changes to the threat profile with my security advisers.
It would be inappropriate to comment on what are security and intelligence matters.
Ministers receive representations relating to criminal activity, including punishment attacks, on a regular basis. Where offences have occurred they are actively investigated by the PSNI.