Donaldson in fresh call over RIR

The RIR's NI-based battalions are to be disbanded

The DUP wants the government to retain a second battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, which would be based in Northern Ireland.

The Ministry of Defence plans to disband the three home battalions of the regiment on 1 August 2007.

That would leave one battalion based in England.

However, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said his party had asked Defence Secretary John Reid to retain one more battalion.

"It is our view that the government should retain a second battallion of the RIR, based as part of the garrison of 5,000 soldiers in Northern Ireland," he said.

"There needs to be a locally recruited regiment based in Northern Ireland as part of that garrison, even in a peaceful situation."

Mr Donaldson said this battalion would be available for short term deployments abroad as well as service in Northern Ireland.

More than 3,000 soldiers serve in the three battalions of the RIR, many part-time.