Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2022 and ending on 29th June, 2023.

The motions before Deputies today seek the continuation in force of important provisions in law aimed at combating terrorism and organised crime. As Minister for Justice I am required to lay reports before the Oireachtas on the use of the relevant provisions in the two Acts covering the past 12 months up to 31 May 2022. Those reports were placed before the House on 7 June 2022.

Deputies will be aware that the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 was enacted in the aftermath of the atrocity at Omagh in August 1998. This was a necessary and proportionate response to a barbaric act and the murder of 29 innocent people by the Real IRA.In subsequent years, there has been significant progress towards a lasting peace, and the recent lowering of the threat level in Northern Ireland from "severe" to "substantial" by the UK authorities is to be welcomed. Nonetheless the level of threat is still substantial. Regrettably, there remains a real and persistent threat from paramilitary groups. These groups remain committed to violence and are contemptuous of the vast majority of the people on this island who wish to live their lives in peace.

These provisions of the criminal law provide strong legislative powers to ensure the Garda and the courts are in a position to meet the challenge laid down by those opponents of peace. Section 18 of the 1998 Act provides that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 must be renewed by the Oireachtas at least annually if they are to remain in force. The report laid before this House includes information provided by the Garda Commissioner on the use of the provisions in question over the past 12 months and a table setting out reported usage figures for each of the years since the Act came into operation. It is notable that eight of the 12 provisions to be renewed, sections 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 17, have not been utilised during the reporting period. Of course, the fact a provision is not used in a particular year does not mean it is redundant or unnecessary, because the usage of different sections can vary from year to year.

The report also provides a brief assessment of the security situation. I should caution, however, that there are clear constraints on the detail of what is and can be reported to ensure there is no danger of prejudice to the investigation or prosecution of crime or the security of the State. The Garda assessment remains that the primary security threat in the State remains that from republican paramilitary groups, the so-called dissident groups, which have their origins in the Provisional IRA and the INLA. As Deputies know, these groups are steadfast in their opposition to peace and democracy and, regrettably, they remain wedded to brutality and criminality. It is imperative our laws and our authorities are properly equipped to deal with the threat. Let no one be under any illusion these groups do not represent a threat to this State as well as to Northern Ireland. It is clearly established these groups operate hand in hand with organised criminals, and their behaviour is indistinguishable from such elements.

North-South co-operation in this area is crucial. The benefits of that co-operation are obvious from successful joint operations between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI, such as the cross-Border investigation targeting organised crime connected to the INLA. There is a long shared history between the two jurisdictions in counteracting terrorism on the island. This strong co-operation continues post Brexit and it is vital we continue to preserve and build on this co-operation.

As Minister for Justice I pay tribute to the members of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI who continue to work tirelessly to preserve life and to counter all threats from terrorism. Paramilitaries have consistently demonstrated that they are ruthless, reckless and cowardly. They continue with their attempts to murder and maim PSNI officers, and despite the recent lowering of the threat level in Northern Ireland, the State cannot be complacent in this regard. We must be clear in our determination that they will not succeed. It is my firm view the provisions I am seeking renewal of today are important in supporting An Garda Síochána in its efforts to investigate, disrupt and dismantle the activities of terrorists.

Of course, while the 1998 Act was a response to a domestic threat, as an open democracy it is very important we do not lose sight of the threat from international terrorism. We are not immune from this threat. Many provisions of the Offences against the State Act form part of the response to that threat, and it is significant its provisions have been utilised in the context of an unlawful organisation outside the State. We continue to work closely with our EU and international partners in remaining vigilant against such threats.

The House will be aware that in February last year, I established an independent expert review group under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Michael Peart to examine all aspects of the Offences against the State Act, taking into account the current threat posed by domestic and international terrorism and organised crime, and the duty to deliver a fair and effective criminal justice system to ensure the protection of communities and the security of the State and Ireland's obligations in relation to constitutional, European Convention on Human Rights and international law. The chair of the review group has recently reported to me that the group has had significant engagement with relevant stakeholders, statutory agencies and civil society organisations. I expect to have the group's final report in the autumn of this year. I thank Mr. Justice Peart and the members of the review group for undertaking what is a very significant and complex task, and I look forward to engaging with any of the recommendations they might have for this important legislation. In the meantime, the report laid before this House notes the clear view of the Garda authorities that the Act continues to be one of the most important tools in ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism. In the circumstances, I must conclude that these provisions continue to be required and that they should again be renewed for a further 12 months.

Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, is also the subject of a motion before this House. It refers to a small number of serious, organised crime offences that are set out in Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Section 8 of the 2009 Act makes those offences scheduled offences for the purpose of Part V of the Offences against the State Act 1939, that is to say, trials for these offences are to be heard in the Special Criminal Court subject to the power of the Director of Public Prosecutions to direct that the offences be tried in the ordinary courts. The purpose of this provision is to guard against the possibility of interference with jury trials by ruthless criminal gangs. It was enacted as a response to a number of difficulties where the justice system was considered to be under serious threat from organised crime. Organised crime gangs had shown a particular ruthlessness in their activities, including attacks on witnesses and intimidation of jurors. It was imperative that the criminal justice system was robust enough to withstand the assault launched upon it through intimidation and violence. That imperative remains.

The report on this section that I have laid before the House in accordance with section 8 covers the period from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022. It includes information provided by the Garda Commissioner on the use over the past 12 months of the provisions in question and details of the particular offences in question. The report outlines that in the past year, 16 individuals have been convicted in the Special Criminal Court in respect of offences to which section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act applies. Of course, it is the case that the jury trial should be preserved to the greatest extent possible. However, we cannot ignore the threat posed to the criminal process by terrorist groups and organised criminal groups which seek to intimidate jurors or potential jurors. The Special Criminal Court continues to play a necessary and important role in the State's criminal justice architecture in dealing with terrorism and the most serious organised crime cases.

Every member of this House is aware of the lengths to which these criminal gangs are prepared to go to thwart the justice system and to maintain a climate of fear and intimidation in our communities. They have no regard for the damage their activities cause for families throughout the country. They have no regard for the rule of law and will stop at nothing in pursuit of their own criminal gain.

Supporting the great work of An Garda Síochána in tackling organised crime remains a priority for the Government. I assure the House the Government is fully committed to giving An Garda Síochána the necessary resources to continue the work of combating those involved in organised crime. As Minister for Justice I acknowledge that work. An Garda Síochána continues to make significant seizures of drugs and firearms, to bring organised criminals to justice and, importantly, to prevent further loss of life. The view of An Garda Síochána is set out clearly in the report, which is that the continued operation of this provision is still required. As Minister for Justice I must have full regard for the views of the Garda Commissioner. It is my view, therefore, that section 8 should continue in operation for a further 12 months.

As set out in the two reports I have laid before the House, it is clear, in the view of An Garda Síochána, that the provisions in the 1998 Act and the 2009 Act combined continue to be necessary and effective in ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and the fight against serious organised crime. On the basis of the information set out in the report and on the advice of the Garda authorities, I propose that the House should approve the continued operation of these relevant provisions of the 1998 Act and the 2009 Act for a further 12 months commencing on 30 June.

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