Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We have raised these questions here on a number of occasions in the past number of months. The PSNI was concerned at the increasing threat from dissident groups in Northern Ireland, which resulted in the Chief Constable calling in specialist intelligence units from Great Britain. In the briefings the Garda has given him over the past number of months was there any evidence of activity or was concern expressed by the Garda information units that this might become a reality?

There are very small numbers involved, but they are people of evil intent. Does the Taoiseach have any evidence of recruitment going on in particular locations in this jurisdiction? Is he aware of vulnerable young people being encouraged to join either of these two dissident groups? Is any evidence available to him from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or Garda intelligence sources that this is the case? Where vulnerable young people might be encouraged, pressurised or forced to join either of these two dissident groups, has the Government any contingency plan to counteract that by pointing out that there is a better way and that the way to achieve political objectives for all who support paramilitaries is through peaceful means and democratic dialogue? I am sure the Taoiseach shares those sentiments.

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