Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I am replying to this matter in the absence of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore. The peace process and the Good Friday Agreement have resulted in a transformation of society in Northern Ireland, perhaps most visibly in the normalisation of daily life and the dramatic decrease in terrorist-related incidents and violence. There remains, however, as the Deputy rightly pointed out, a substantial threat from so-called dissident republican paramilitary groups who continue to assert their determination to impose violence and a return to conflict on the people of Ireland towards an as-yet undefined end.

The threats to peace as posed by dissident groups are undoubtedly serious. Since 2009, a series of violent attacks by these dissident groups have taken place, resulting in injuries and in the deaths of two British Army personnel and two Catholic PSNI officers. The deaths of Sappers Quinsey and Azimkar and Constables Carroll and Kerr, and the continuing threats against the Police Service of Northern Ireland, are viewed with widespread revulsion across society on the island of Ireland. It is clear that these people enjoy no popular support within the community. They have nothing to offer the people of Ireland. They have been overwhelmingly rejected. Nothing showed this more clearly than the united cross-community response to the brutal murder of Constable Kerr just over a year ago. It is evident too in the more recent response by the people of Derry to publicly protest against the mindless actions of a minority who seek to impose their will on the community through violence. Strong and deepening co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland is doing much to counter such individuals and groups, who are flying in the face of the clearly and democratically expressed will of all the Irish people who share the island of Ireland. The number of arrests in connection with dissident activity made in both jurisdictions continues to be significant. The Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland will continue to co-operate closely to combat dissident activity on both sides of the Border. The joint statement by the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, on British-Irish relations in March of this year underlined the wish of both governments to see Northern Ireland move from peace to reconciliation and prosperity. Our joint efforts in support of these objectives must and will continue. Above all, we stand together with the people of Northern Ireland and its Executive in our determination to make sure they are never again blighted by violent conflict.

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