Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I formally second the resolution. It is important that the House debates this matter. When the resolution was proposed in 1998, the Opposition sought assurances from the Government that these understandably draconian provisions would be debated on a yearly basis in the House. That agreement has been honoured every year since the Act was passed, by both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is important that we use this space to reflect on the progress to date. I note the fact that the report was laid before the Oirechtas early in June, outlining some of the information that the Minister has given the House. It is important that the House returns on a yearly basis to this issue because of the exceptional circumstances that led to the introduction of this Act in 1998.

For those outside this House who hold the view that there is no longer a threat from armed groups, illegal, unlawful organisations in this State, I say they are sorely wrong. The threat continues from dissident, allegedly republican organisations and we must counter that threat. The first responsibility of a democratically elected Government is to secure for its citizens the jurisdiction in which they live. That is why it is absolutely essential that the provisions contained in this Act continue until such a time as we have wiped out forever this fundamentalist, anti-democratic, neo-fascist group of people who still refuse to accept the wishes of our people, North and South.

The Minister is right to point out the example in County Louth. People should be on their guard. We saw in Merrion Square on 8 May last a small incendiary device which could have caused mayhem to members of the public, members of the Garda, Members of the House. We saw on the 6 May an attempted bomb attack in Armagh city, where two police officers escaped injury. As the Minister said, in County Louth a bomb was discovered following good investigative work by the Garda Síochána and, I presume, the local community. A 1000 lb bomb was found which was ready to be primed and used presumably over the Border.