Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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It concerns me greatly that a pipe bomb was found in my home town of Trim two weeks ago. The bomb detonated and caused some damage to the Wellington monument and to nearby houses. Is the Minister happy with the security measures being put in place for the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama given the rise in this type of criminal activity in recent weeks and, more to the point, following the assassination of Osama bin Laden at the weekend? I read that Garda and Army intelligence officers are concerned that activists, currently keeping a low profile in the UK and Europe, could come here to take advantage of US President, Barack Obama's, visit to launch an attack in retaliation for the assassination.

Osama bin Laden is dead but al-Qaeda is not and there may be a heightened possibility of retaliation on the UK and the USA. With visits to Ireland in less than three weeks by the two heads of state of these countries taking place within hours of each other I wish to be assured that security has been stepped up to take the weekend's events into account.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The use of explosive devices such as that employed recently in Trim is a matter of ongoing concern to me and to the Garda authorities, no matter who is responsible for them. Garda strategies are very firmly focused on disrupting their use and, where sufficient evidence is available, proffering charges and bringing such persons before the courts.

The House should remember that there are significant penalties available to the courts following conviction for explosives related offences, including a penalty of life imprisonment for causing an explosion likely to endanger life, up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction for an attempt to cause an explosion likely to endanger life, and up to 14 years imprisonment following conviction for possession of explosives. As with all such incidents, the incident to which the Deputy refers is of concern and is the subject of an active, ongoing Garda investigation. Clearly it would not be appropriate for me to go into the details of such investigations, but I appeal to anyone with any knowledge of the matter to share it with the Garda Síochána.

With regard to the incident itself, the Garda authorities inform me that at approximately one o'clock in the morning of 21 April a car drew up near the Duke of Wellington monument in the centre of the town. A device was thrown at the monument which caused a small explosion. There were no injuries and damage was not caused apart from some scorch marks to the monument. An Army explosive ordnance device team was called. It examined the remains of the device which was deemed to be a pipe bomb-type of device. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the incident.

I cannot state categorically who was responsible for the incident. It is quite possible, but not certain, that it may have been some sort of atavistic response to the announcement that Queen Elizabeth II is to visit the country later this month. Opposition to Queen Elizabeth's visit is the response of a tiny minority of people. We as a people and this country are fast approaching the centenary of having gained our independence. It is a testament to our maturity as a nation that this visit will go ahead at this time. Shortly thereafter we will welcome the President of the United States to our shores - a symbol of the special bond between our two nations. I have no doubt that the people will give the traditional welcome to those visitors as it gives to all visitors and for which we are, rightly, renowned.

The Garda Síochána is primarily responsible for the security of the visits of Queen Elizabeth and of President Obama. I have the utmost confidence in the Commissioner and his officers, who I know are totally committed to ensuring these events pass off without incident. The Garda Síochána, with the support of the Defence Forces, will continue to make all the necessary arrangements to make sure the appropriate level of security is in place for both visits. I am sure people generally will understand the security arrangements which have to be made and will co-operate fully with them. Security arrangements are a necessary feature of visits of this kind to any country and I am sure they will not detract from the great welcome which will be extended to our distinguished guests.

There are a whole range of security considerations that must be taken into account in relation to the impending visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama. Those considerations are based on an ongoing assessment of the risks involved. The House will appreciate that it would be counterproductive for me to go into the detail of security arrangements.

Obviously some people will seek to disrupt the visits. The right to peaceful protest is an important one and one that my Government will always uphold - but we will not tolerate those who seek to break the law to cause disorder nor will we tolerate those who set out to maim or murder. By their actions they display a barbaric and arrogant contempt for the constitutional civil and human rights vested in all who reside on or visit this island. The visits will be welcomed by the vast majority of the people. I reassure the House, that neither I, nor the Government, are complacent about the security measures which will be necessary to make these visits a success.

These visits are also a statement to the world that Ireland still has much to offer. For all the difficulties we face, there is every reason for us, working together, to be confident in our long-term future. No tiny minority should be permitted to cloud that message, nor will they be allowed to so do.