Seanad debates

Tuesday, 24 June 2003

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

 

We have had many debates in this House about the activities of paramilitary organisations other than the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA, which have moved from specific republican activities to organised crime. The involvement of elements of the Provisional IRA, the INLA, the UDA and the UVF in this regard should be tackled by extending either some or all of these provisions in the fight against crime. Many of us would wish that there was no necessity to operate the provisions of this Act, but there is a compelling case to be made for their use against terrorism and organised crime. Who could deny that the effects of illegal drugs on society are not as serious or as grave as the consequences of terrorism? Other crimes have a similar adverse effect. It needs to be ensured the full rigour of the law and resources of the State will be mobilised in the fight against crime.

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