Seanad debates

Tuesday, 24 June 2003

Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion.

 

The Minister of State is from Limerick city, which has been troubled in recent months by feuding gangs. Recently, a newspaper alleged that arms from the Continuity IRA were sold directly to some of these groups. If there is any truth in that – and I have no reason to doubt it – does it not demonstrate once again the necessity for decommissioning in this State and a complete clamp-down to end such activities? Decommissioning is not just an important issue for Unionists, it is also important for people in this State because we cannot have unlawful groups – be they ten or 100 – attempting to act as mafiosi in their own communities, directing terror or, in the case to which I referred in Limerick, directly selling illegal weapons to what might be described as ordinary decent criminals as opposed to politically motivated criminals. Decommissioning is not just important for those groups on ceasefire, it is also important in light of the continued threat posed by the Real IRA, the Continuity IRA or any other IRA group that may take their place in future.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.