Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Those matter might be better raised with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, particularly in the context of the level of detail sought by the Deputy. My only comment in respect of the security briefings I receive is that a determined effort is being made to monitor closely any dissident activity that is taking place and to ensure that there is full co-operation among the various agencies, both in this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland. There have been many examples of success in thwarting past activities which could have led to the destruction of property or posed a threat to life and limb.

As the Deputy stated, the fact that only a small number of individuals are involved in these activities does not take away from their malign intentions. Nor does it take away from the need for our security forces be ever vigilant, as is the case in any event. Those in the security forces are highly knowledgeable and have various ways and means of dealing with matters of this nature. Significant legislation designed to assist the security forces in being effective in combating the type of activities to which I refer has been passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas in the past. We must ensure, to the greatest extent possible - no one can provide a blanket guarantee in respect of security at any point - that this matter is given the highest priority.

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