John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I also welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate Fine Gael for tabling this motion. I am delighted it is now a composite motion to which all Members can agree and support. No one who is aware of my views and those of the Progressive Democrats will be surprised that I will use this opportunity to restate my absolute belief that our democracy must be carefully protected from the caustic actions of the IRA and Sinn Féin. As the House has heard, Joseph Rafferty was shot dead in west Dublin on 12 April. He was shot twice in the upper body. His family has stated that he was told that he would be shot dead. Garda sources have confirmed to the national media that the suspect in the Rafferty murder was an IRA member. The dead man's family state that the suspect has been active in Sinn Féin and that Sinn Féin is shielding the person who shot Mr. Rafferty. The Rafferty family claims it has been the victim of alleged IRA intimidation in the south inner city neighbourhood.

These are the awful facts. The Raffertys have been through a very difficult time and continue to suffer. We must do everything we can to help them. That includes voicing, in the strongest possible terms, our utter disgust at this cold-blooded murder and any party's action which frustrates the search for justice. Everyone has a duty to help the Raffertys, including Sinn Féin and the IRA.

When I saw the Rafferty family at Government Buildings last Tuesday, holding aloft a photograph of Joseph, my mind instantly turned to the McCartneys. Following a meeting in Belfast with the McCartney sisters, Mr. Rafferty's sister stated that her brother's murder was a carbon copy of the Robert McCartney killing. After that meeting, Catherine McCartney said the following:

The incidents around Joseph's death are very similar to our own... We are talking about the murder of two men... For our two cases, murder is murder and can only be sorted out by the rule of law.

Ms McCartney's reference to the rule of law is telling. The rule of law and the justice system are the flip side to our democracy. The law ensures that the democratic will of the people is adhered to. This is why the case of Joseph Rafferty's murder must be discussed in this House. JosephRafferty was originally from the south inner city and it is claimed that in the months leading up to his murder, he had become embroiled in a dispute with a family from that area. Mr. Rafferty was allegedly told a number of times by members of the family with which he had clashed that he would be "got" by the IRA. This took place in the south inner city, on the other side of Trinity College and that institution is all that stands between this House and where this terror unfolded. Our institutions, such as this House, are all that stand between us and brutal thuggery, the law of the jungle, criminality and terror. Joseph Rafferty's murder and the necessity for the campaign led by his family are a stark reminder of how everything we hold dear is threatened by criminal elements, thugs and the IRA.

Sinn Féin asks people to join the organisation to do the following: to take an active part in changing Irish society; to work to build an Ireland of equals; and to campaign for justice on issues locally and nationally. Let us look at each of these in the context of the McCartney and Rafferty slayings. Remember that Sinn Féin bargained with and depend on its association with the illegal Provisional IRA.

First, it claims to be taking an active part in changing Irish society. Is that changing Irish society for its good or to its detriment? IRA-Sinn Féin is undoubtedly active in changing our society. Robbery, money laundering and asset creation are used to create a state within a state with no loyalty to our State or to our society. The IRA is not going out of business. We should remember it is going into business. The IRA's army council and its political membership oversee the transformation from a heavily armed private army into a lightly armed criminal enforcement group. I urge no one to take any part in Sinn Féin's activities to change Irish society.

Second, it claims to be working to build an Ireland of equals. How equal will Ireland be when one group engages in beatings, extortion, robbery, exiling, smuggling, running protection rackets and money laundering? What if all this is done on behalf of those who engage in politics? Do Members see this as an Ireland of equals? I do not.

Third, it claims to be campaigning for justice on issues locally and nationally. I am almost lost for words. Spare a special thought for the Raffertys. Deputy Ó Caoláin has denied that any member of Sinn Féin or the IRA was involved in the murder of Mr. Rafferty. As I have stated, the Garda has confirmed to the national media that the suspect in the Rafferty murder was in the IRA. Members may choose the bona fides they prefer as they will. If, as alleged, Sinn Féin representatives refused to intervene to save Mr. Rafferty's life, what faith can we have that they will campaign for local justice for Mr. Rafferty and his family? Whose justice are we talking about? Is it our democratic system of justice or is it IRA justice? The Minister stated that our justice system does not wear a balaclava as a badge of honour. Senator Ryan stated that there is only one Óglaigh na hÉireann. I am happy that I was a member of Óglaigh na hÉireann for 21 years and that I was involved in peace processes throughout the world. However, I never wore a balaclava; I wore a blue beret and I was happy to do so.

The Rafferty family claims that a Sinn Féin councillor was informed about the threats against Joseph Rafferty a number of times in the past year and earlier this year. Was the murder of Joseph Rafferty part of Sinn Féin's vision of local justice? Who would join their campaign for local justice if that is the case? The Progressive Democrats truly support campaigns for justice and we support the Rafferty family in its pursuit of justice. The family believes that Sinn Féin representatives on Dublin City Council are in a position to put pressure on the chief suspect to make a statement to the Garda. If Sinn Féin wants to campaign for justice, it should ensure it does everything possible to help the Raffertys in their cause. The criminal activity linked to republicans, such as the Northern Bank raid and the McCartney and Rafferty murders, will not be air-brushed out of the picture. The Government has committed itself to raising the issue again when next it meets Mr. Adams. The Garda intelligence and security investigations are on-going. I welcome this action and all action to ensure that our justice system is protected. That is at the heart of the Rafferty campaign. They are brave enough to take on those elements in society, those in dark corners and those so-called public representatives whose ideology is repugnant to what we know and whose actions threaten what we hold dear.

Never before have I agreed with Mr. Adams, but at the ploughing championships yesterday in Cork, he said that this murder was carried out by thugs. He is right and I agree with him, but he left out one word before that. They were IRA thugs.