Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Like Deputy O'Brien, I have no hesitation in renewing the call on those responsible for the atrocity at Omagh and many other actions since to desist and to embrace the peace process. I call on them to open their eyes to the considerable progress made on this island since the passage of the Good Friday Agreement. There is space for those with varying views to put forward those arguments and if they believe in the strength of their convictions, I ask that they debate them with the rest of society. The Good Friday Agreement was overwhelmingly and democratically endorsed by the vast majority of the Irish people. If they believe in democracy at all, which is questionable, I ask that they desist. Their actions are an affront to democracy, are besmirching the ideals of republicanism and are delaying the eventuality of a united Ireland.

The retention of these provisions is an admission of the failure of this and previous Governments. Similar to the earlier motion on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, these provisions turn the basis of the justice system on its head. The killing of Constable Ronan Kerr shows that these groups wish for an abnormal society. The challenge to us is to prove that we have a normal society and that normal policing will convict those who seek to undermine it.

There is no place in our society for the emergency legislation that was passed in 1998. We are a normal society and the existing laws are strong enough if properly resourced. An Garda Síochána and the courts can convict and can ensure that those who carry out atrocious acts in this day and age serve a proper sentence for those actions.

Thar ceann na Teachtaí a chur i gcoinne an rúin seo gach uile blian ó thoghadh mé ar dtús i 2002, measaim go bhfuil sé thar am fáil réidh leis. Is oth liom a rá go bhfuil sé arís ós ár gcomhair agus tá mé chun chuir ina choinne. Fiú roimhe seo, chuir mise i gcoinne na Offences Against the State Act toisc, seachais dlíthe breise atá ag déanamh staid éigeandála sa tír seo, gur chóir go mbeadh breis áiseanna, trealamh agus maoin curtha i dtreo An Garda Síochána agus na cúirteanna chun déanamh cinnte nach bhfuil gá le aon forálacha mar seo, má raibh gá riamh leis, agus gur chóir dhúinn fáil réidh leis an bunreachtaíocht.

An príomh argóint ná nach bhfuil fiú na forálacha seo áúsáid agus nach raibh siad riamh chun a bheith úsáidte mar bhí siad go dona nuair a chuireadh le chéile iad sa chéad dul síos. Ba chóir dúinn casadh arís ar an ghnáth chóras justice insan tír agus ba chóir dúinn é sin a dhéanamh anois. Tá an deis againn, fiú anois, fáil réidh le na forálacha ó 1998.

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