Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

A serious matter came before the Special Criminal Court yesterday. It concerns the conviction and sentencing of two named individuals, both of whom are activists within the Sinn Féin Party, which is a registered political party in the State. When I raised this matter in the House on 6 October I asked the Government to ensure that the 20 or 30 Members of this assembly and the other assembly be informed of the fact that they were being spied upon during 2002. Has the Government taken action on that matter?

If this matter had related to a member of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or the Labour Party, not only would there be a national outcry but there would be demands for a tribunal of investigation to be established as soon as possible. Here we have a political party under the guise of a paramilitary organisation which seems to think it can get away with this behaviour without any comment from its leadership or action by the members concerned. This is a very serious matter. Some people may not want me to raise it because they feel it should be swept under the carpet in view of the sensitivities of the Northern peace process. I say this because it must be said and because this is a democracy. The Irish people have elected Members to this assembly and the other Assembly and those Members have a right to go about their business without being interfered with by this neo-fascist group. I ask the Government to ensure that those named individuals who have been spied upon, interfered with and had their privacy put to one side be informed of that fact as soon as possible.