Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I regret it is necessary to continue to enforce the provisions of the Act. I also regret the need for anti-terrorist legislation. However, we all sincerely hope the day will come when such legislation will no longer be required. I wonder whether that day might be hastened by the establishment of a truth and reconciliation forum or commission through which many of the activities of the past 20 or 30 years that have manifested themselves in serious crimes could be arrested by addressing them in a way that would give rise to people making genuine expressions of regret for these activities and everybody could come together as part of a healing process in order that the negative effects of the period could be harnessed into a positive approach for the future on this island, which is absolutely necessary.

Our record on tackling terrorism in this part of the island has been good throughout the 30 years. It should be ensured similar high standards prevail within the United Kingdom. People are worried about the all too frequent reports of collusion between the security forces in Northern Ireland and paramilitaries during that period. I sincerely hope such collusion has not continued up to the present day.

I join previous speakers in endorsing the extension of the Act for a further 12 months. It is appropriate that it should be reviewed annually. However, it may be beneficial if similar provisions in the Act were applied to other serious threats to the State from the criminal world.