Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I wish the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and all participants in the Belfast talks every success in dealing with difficult issues that must be addressed.

I will cite parts of the Garda Síochána report to the Minister for Justice and Equality. It reads: "It was never the position of the IMC - nor has it been the position of An Garda Síochána - that PIRA had disbanded and, accordingly, ceased to exist." It also reads: "However, separately from the activities of dissident groups, there is clear evidence that a significant number of persons who have been associated with PIRA remain criminally active, particularly in organised crime, and continue to associate together." Elsewhere, it reads: "Like other persons involved in organised crime, some have access to weaponry." These statements in the Garda's report must be a source of concern for us all.

Many people on this island put a major effort into bringing about the Good Friday Agreement. Those of us who were privileged to campaign for its acceptance by the people in May 1998 were overjoyed that, in this State alone, more than 94% of those who voted endorsed it. That was a significant figure. Similarly, well in excess of 70% of those who voted in Northern Ireland endorsed the Agreement. We all recall the major block of Unionist opinion that campaigned against the Agreement and the lukewarm campaign, if it could be called that, on the part of some people who deemed themselves republicans. The people spoke, and the mandate that everyone on this island has is to work the Good Friday Agreement.

Major risks are posed when paramilitary organisations exist and weaponry is available to some paramilitaries, thugs, murderers and other criminals. People must face up to these questions. Smuggling, counterfeiting and cross-Border crime must be tackled in a determined and comprehensive manner. I welcomed the Taoiseach's indication to my party leader, Deputy Martin, this morning that he would give consideration to my proposal on a cross-Border agency that had a focus on tackling these issues.

I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, can bring that issue to the attention of his colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, to raise in the talks also.

As a next step to be taken urgently, we need politicians from all sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland to start being honest about the ongoing presence and role of paramilitaries. Paramilitaries from both traditions continue to exist. They must not be tolerated. Illegal groups must be gone for good on this island. Illegal activity must be faced down. The political system must face down paramilitarism and criminality. We have to see the potential of the Good Friday Agreement being realised for the benefit of all the people on this island.

See this speech in context