Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all know the background to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act and Senators need to consider the destructive effect of this legislation on human rights, civil liberties and democratic life in the State. We are living in a new political reality and the Minister and the Government have an onus to live up to their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement to remove obstacles that hinder the normalisation of security.

In this context the scrapping of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act is a must. The provisions up for renewal and the Act in its entirety have no place in a modern democracy and have nothing to contribute to future peace on this island. The apathy of the Opposition, and of Fianna Fáil, on this issue and the ill-advised enthusiasm of others for specific aspects of the Act has negative implications for all of Irish society.

The Minister has referred in the past to upholding and implementing in full the Good Friday Agreement because it is the democratic wish of the Irish people. That means there is an onus on us to bring about, as quickly as possible, the normalisation of policing and justice on the island. In this context the Government has obligations under the Good Friday Agreement to work towards the normalisation of security in the Twenty-six Counties and in the Six Counties.

Sinn Féin believes this legislation is counter-productive in the long run. The retention of these provisions is an admission of the failure of this and previous Governments. The challenge for us is to prove we have a normal society and that normal policing will convict those who seek to undermine it. Draconian legislation can never be a substitute for sound law and good and accountable policing. The continuation of this Act erodes the human rights ethos on which the State's legislation should be grounded. We are a normal society and our existing laws are strong enough, if properly resourced.

Is ar an mbunús sin atáimid ag cur i gcoinne an rún seo arís agus a bheimid ag brú vóta. Ní chóir go dteastódh a leithéid de reachtaíocht ar chor ar bith in aon phoblacht atá aibí agus atá ag dul chun cinn.