John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister of State. While it is necessary to review the legislation, it is a pity that we, as a nation, found it necessary to place such legislation on the Statute Book in the first place. However, that is the reality and we have a responsibility, as legislators, to face up to this. There is evidence that proves the legislation was both justified and necessary. I welcome the Minister of State's outline of how the 1998 amendments were used over the past 12 months. It is important that the Act should be reviewed because it proves it was necessary in the first place.

There is no place for those who undermine our democracy and the will of the people. We live in an era in which terrorism affects those who engage in such actions or atrocities and in which people can be terrorised in their own homes through images of terrorist acts on television,. It is important that at all times the necessary legislation should be in place to confront this threat to the society in which we aspire to live.

"Republicanism" is one of the most abused words in the English language. So-called republicans hijack and abuse it to carry out criminal acts. A stage has been reached in the peace process where a distinction must be made regarding criminal activity which cannot be tolerated. Lip service cannot be paid to the support of extortion and protection rackets, kneecapping, punishment beatings and smuggling to raise funds. These are criminal activities for which there is no place in society. We, as legislators, must face up to this. Certain groups in society and certain Members of these Houses pay lip service to such activity. The people I represent and I do not aspire to such a society.

Tributes must be paid to the Garda and the Defence Forces which provide us with the protection we need. People question the cost involved in supporting the Defence Forces but democracy, like other aspects of our lives, requires an insurance policy. Our Defence Forces provide such an insurance policy. If they uphold democracy for only one day in the history of the State, they will have earned their keep. They must be in place and must be supported to ensure they are capable of meeting the threat they encounter on a day-to-day basis.

I join previous speakers in appealing to all parties in the Oireachtas to support the enforcement of the legislation and its spirit. It is time we grew up as a society and moved forward in the real world to face up to what is acceptable. I congratulate the Minister of State on his contribution which was informative and necessary. We must maintain vigilance against the threat to our democracy. There is not only an internal threat, as we live in a world where external threats are increasing day after day. Similar legislation may be needed to address the external threats facing western democracies that we support. Everybody must be vigilant. My final appeal is to all democratically elected parties to embrace democracy, separate it from criminal activity and move forward in order that we can continue to grow the State for the benefit of all who live in it.