Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It is not agreed. We have again been presented with a motion proposing the renewal of the Offences against the State Act. It is proposed to provide 45 minutes to address this draconian legislation. As we have said time after time in this House, now that many years have passed since the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement, we believe it is inappropriate to retain this legislation on the Statute Book of this State. Regardless of the merits of any other legislation on the Statute Book that is aimed at addressing any matters of this nature that may present themselves, it is clear that the Offences against the State Act is wholly and absolutely inappropriate. We have opposed it from the very beginning. I have opposed it in this Chamber since I was elected to this House in 1997. If we are to properly address this offensive legislation, it is inadequate to offer 45 minutes for a debate on this motion. I ask the Government to rethink its position on this proposition and to come to the conclusion that it is high time for it to decide to remove this legislation from the Statute Book forthwith. It should not be proposed to renew the legislation in the manner outlined in the motion before the House. I oppose the proposition and will oppose the motion, if it is taken in the manner proposed on the Order of Business.

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