Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive report on the use of the provisions of the 1998 Act over the past 12 months. He outlined the use of the different sections and the number of occasions on which they have been used is extraordinary. The facts speak for themselves and this highlights the relevance of the anti-terrorist provisions in our legislation. The Twenty-Second Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission refers to the increased threat of terrorism in Northern Ireland and states that the overall threat from dissident activity in the six months under review had been higher than at any time since the commission members first met in late 2003. The seriousness, range and tempo had all changed for the worst. The report states, "Dissident groups remain highly active and dangerous". It itemises the activities of different republican organisations and their continuation of terrorist activities, including the Continuity Irish Republican Army, CIRA, which claimed responsibility for the murder of PC Carroll in March 2009; the Irish National Liberation Army; the Provisional Irish Republican Army, PIRA; and the Real Irish Republican Army, RIRA.

The report makes an interesting distinction regarding PIRA stating:

We do not believe that PIRA has engaged in terrorist or other illegal activity. Where individuals have engaged in violence or other crime...we believe they did so without sanction or support and that any financial gain was personal.

It is important to make that distinction. Those who engaged in terrorism in the past have honoured their commitments in the Good Friday Agreement and have entered into the political arena, which should be acknowledged. However, terrorist activity is not confined to Northern Ireland and the Minister referred to the incident in Dundalk last month. The Garda operation foiled a suspected major RIRA bombing.

I congratulate the Garda for that work. I believe the co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI is very important in this regard. I was in Cavan at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, and there were presentations there by the Garda Commissioner and the head of the PSNI. They outlined the extent of their co-operation and it is very clear they are working very closely and effectively together. This is proof of that.

The Saville report this week will greatly help in furthering the peace process in Northern Ireland. Terrorism in large measure is bred from injustice, and I believe the injustice of what happened on Bloody Sunday in 1972 gave extraordinary encouragement to republican activity in Northern Ireland, and brought about the resurrection of the IRA. I remember that very well in 1972. I was on that march to the British Embassy in Dublin. It is instructive to note the contrast between the conclusions of the Widgery report in each case of the 14 people killed with that of the truth to emerge in the Saville report. The difference is very telling. When we talk about terrorist activity, we cannot generalise. Where there is injustice, it has to be dealt with, and it is to be welcomed that this has happened this week with the Saville report. It will strengthen those who are attempting to further the peace process in Northern Ireland and ensure there is reconciliation. The response of all the different political sides in Northern Ireland to that report is very encouraging. I have no hesitation in supporting the Government in the implementation of these provisions. The facts speak for themselves.