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

I thank the Minister for his response and I hope this intensive phase of the talks will draw to a successful conclusion. The need for such a conclusion is evidently demonstrated by the report on paramilitary activity - which makes for stark reading - and the attendant problems for communities on both sides of the Border. As the House knows, that report pointed out that individual provisional IRA members remain involved in criminal activity, such as large-scale smuggling and there have been isolated incidents of violence, including murders. The report also points out the illegal activities and the unacceptable activity of other paramilitary groups which have no place in society either, such as the UVF, the Ulster Defence Association and the INLA.

There is an urgent need to have all of these issues dealing with the legacy of the past and ongoing criminal activity dealt with in a comprehensive manner. The Minister would be aware that last March, I brought legislation to the House calling for the establishment of an all-Ireland cross-Border forum. This would comprise members of An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, our customs service, the Northern Ireland customs service, the Environmental Protection Agency and its counterparts north of the Border and other relevant statutory agencies. I welcome the fact the Minister has indicated he is thinking along those lines. Will he assure us that the establishment of such an agency, with a remit and focus to deal with criminality on both sides of the Border, will be a central part of the ongoing all-party discussions in Stormont and will he assure us that such a body will have an important remit to deal with the outstanding issues arising from paramilitary activity?

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