Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

When we discussed the retention of certain sections of the Offences Against the State Act last year, everyone in the House renewed the call on these groups to cease their activities. We will renew it again. The Minister referred to section 8, which has not yet been used. In considering the entirety of the Offences Against the State Act, aspects of it do not work and are now being used for unintended purposes. We need to consider repealing this legislation. Elements of it are draconian and inappropriate for their purpose.

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