Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his exposition of the situation with regard to terrorism on the island of Ireland and the need for this legislation to be continued. Fine Gael fully supports the continuation of the provisions of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 given the deterioration in the situation over the past year. I refer to the killings of British Army soldiers, Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar, in March and the killing of PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll on 9 March. These killings highlight how the situation has deteriorated. It is encouraging that all sections of the community, North and South, and all organisations and political parties have supported the forces of law and order in both parts of the island in confronting the resurgence of violence. The 21st report of the Independent Monitoring Commission highlights how the Provisional IRA has adhered to its commitments in the peace process and that there is no evidence of any violence or terrorist activity by that organisation. This is the one positive element in the report of the Independent Monitoring Commission on 7 May 2009.

This terrorist activity is not just confined to Northern Ireland but straddles general criminal activity and it is clear these organisations are involved in criminal activity of the worst type. In January 2009, the Garda Commissioner highlighted in The Irish Times that the threat from dissident republicans should not be underestimated. This is a cause for concern not only for the PSNI but also for the Garda Síochána. The Commissioner highlighted the range of criminal activities in which these bodies are engaged.

The report of the Independent Monitoring Commission clearly states that the current ongoing violence is an attempt to destroy the peace process and return the community in Northern Ireland to the period of violent struggle from which it has so painfully and relatively recently emerged. The attacks on the homes of the Sinn Féin Minister, Conor Maguire, and Mitchel McLaughlin highlight the fact that these organisations are intent on damaging and injuring those who are in any way associated with the restoration of normality in the political and democratic process in Northern Ireland.

The report also highlights the extent of the criminal activity of these organisations. It states that Continuity IRA members continue to be involved in a wide range of other serious criminal activity, including drug dealing, tiger kidnappings, robbery, extortion, brothel keeping and offences designed to defraud the two Exchequers, such as the smuggling of tobacco, in the main, and fuel laundering. The commission is of the view that members of the Continuity IRA were responsible for armed robberies in Dungannon in January 2009 and in Lurgan the following month.

This type of criminal activity affects the ability of the Garda Síochána to maintain law and order on this side of the Border so we have a serious interest in ensuring both the PSNI and the Garda Síochána are given the facilities and legislative framework to ensure they can carry out their responsibilities. The Minister of State has made the case for the legislation and it has the full support of Fine Gael.