Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As Deputy Kenny said, there is full co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána in relation to dealing with this threat. The Garda Commissioner has confirmed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that he is happy with the level of co-operation.

The intelligence services of the State have kept a close monitoring eye on what is going on among They threaten our democracy for so long as they exist. They seek to defy the will of the people, North and South, on the basis that the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement constitute the agreed path forward for peace and reconciliation and, from our point of view, ultimately, we hope, unity of the country.

Anyone who is engaged in violent activity or threats or planning of criminal acts - I do not give them the adjective "dissident" at all as these are criminal activities and they do not have any political philosophy that is worth the name - is clearly intent on seeking to defy the will of the vast majority of the people of all traditions, North and South, and the security forces have been successful in deterring them from engaging in violent activities or planning events that would have caused serious harm to people and property. It is a continuing requirement on our security forces to try to ensure that they do not succeed at any time.

This threat is something that must be contended with. The Garda Síochána has been dealing with this sort of threat for decades and has built up a great degree of expertise, and its intelligence services are very effective. As I stated, level of co-operation levels with the PSNI are strong and that is as it should be.

I share with the Deputy the need to continue to be vigilant. There is never any room for complacency. I assure the House and the country that this is an issue that has the highest priority among our security forces.

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