Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland have driven 13 people to kill themselves, the government has admitted.

Northern Ireland minister Jane Kennedy revealed to MPs on Wednesday there had been 13 suicides in six weeks linked to paramilitary attacks, along with 112 shootings.

"It is about paramilitary groups from both sides, including the Provisional IRA, maintaining power over their communities by fear," she said.

Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman David Lidington argued it was time to review Sinn Fein's place at the negotiating table.

"Should not the government stop treating two terrorist organisations in a different fashion and consider proscribing the IRA," he said.

Kennedy refused to be drawn but warned there would have to be action.

"It is of deep concern. I believe it is for Sinn Fein to answer these questions," she said.

MPs also called on the government not to cut police reserve numbers in Northern Ireland.

The government was warned on Wednesday that any cuts in numbers would hit efforts to counter organised crime linked to terrorist groups.

Gregory Campbell and David Burnside of the DUP led warnings that there was uncertainty among the reservists over their future.

The police chief for Northern Ireland, Hugh Orde, will decide whether to cut the number of reservists if the security threat has significantly fallen.

Kennedy argued the resources were higher than anywhere else in the UK.

Spending on police had now topped £2.1 billion or £400 per head.

"These are very significant resources that are committed to Northern Ireland," she said.

"Any decision will be based on the cheif constable's security assessment. Questions of resources are a matter for the chief constable."