when the ulster defence regiment bill, the legislation establishing the regiment, was being debated in parliament there was considerable discussion about its proposed name. an amendment to the legislation was proposed that would have given the regiment the name "northern ireland territorial force". proponents of this amendment were concerned to ensure that the word "ulster" be removed from the name of the regiment. they argued that the name "ulster" evoked emotive resistance from many catholics in northern ireland and that the term "ulster" had been associated with the orange organisations and other organisations perceived as excluding catholics e.g. the ulster protestant volunteers, the ulster constitution defence committee, the ulster volunteer force and the ulster special constabulary. they argued "ulster" had strong party political and partisan connotations and would deter catholic participation in the new regiment. one speaker said the name "ulster" would "frighten the catholics away". they also argued that as three of ulster's nine counties were not in northern ireland, the title was inaccurate, especially given that persons from outside of northern ireland would be prohibited by law from joining the regiment.