The SDLP deputy leader and justice spokesman, Mr Seamus Mallon, has described as "serious" weekend revelations that senior British Ministry of Defence officials knew about a batch of faulty plastic bullets before the Drumcree crisis last year and failed to notify anyone.
Mr Mallon, who raised the matter in the Commons some weeks ago, said: "The Secretary of State, in her reply to me, stated clearly that the NIO and RUC were only made aware of the existence of defective plastic bullets in their armoury in April of this year, nearly eight months after the disturbances surrounding Drumcree, when over 8,000 plastic bullets were discharged.
"It is now clear that the Ministry of Defence were aware of the huge risks associated with the use of such a dangerous weapon during the Drumcree crisis and failed to notify either the NIO or the RUC.
"These are very serious revelations. I will be seeking answers as to why the NIO, the RUC and Police Authority were not informed about these defective weapons.
"I will also be looking for the exact numbers of faulty bullets which were fired.
"The SDLP has been calling for a total withdrawal of plastic bullets for many years. Research has proven just how lethal these weapons can be revelations such as these strengthen further the argument for their total withdrawal."