John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I join with Senator Brian Hayes and Senator Ryan as regards the sentencing in the Special Criminal Court yesterday. There is a complacency in tolerating the unconstitutional behaviour and activities of certain members of Sinn Féin. It is not acceptable that we should allow double standards. No party has any right to claim to be fully democratic if it engages in such activities. For a party to accept an À la carte version of democracy is intolerable. It would be irresponsible of this House, its Members and anybody else who supports democratic principles to allow this to go unchallenged. I ask the Leader to establish two points from the Government, if she can — first, to identify all Members of the Oireachtas who were on this list and, second, to confirm whether these Members have been told they were, or are being, spied upon.

The Leader should send a letter to the leadership of Sinn Féin pointing out that this is unacceptable and ask for an unequivocal statement condemning these activities. If we truly believe in democracy and want Sinn Fein to come into the democratic system, it must come in fully. I call on all Members of the House to support the sentiments that have been expressed here this morning.