Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We support the Government in this motion. We wish to send the strong message that the Irish State and its political system is united against terrorism.

We understand and recognise that the continuation in operation of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, which was brought in after the Omagh bombing, is a vital legislative tool in the battle against dissident Republican groups engaged in terrorism. The legislation is so serious and punitive it must be renewed every year, on the advice of the Garda Síochána, and that advice must be taken seriously by all in elected office. Those people who choose to oppose that advice or not to renew the legislative provisions of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act show themselves to be not yet ready for Government.

When Éamon de Valera came into power, and throughout his period as Taoiseach, he took a very hard line against the dissidents of that time, which was appropriate in the formation of a new state. That work must continue on a cross-party basis with regard to issues of terrorism, threats to life and the security of the nation, and issues such as bombs in shopping centres, bombs being found on the way to the North or the discovery of partially forged bank notes to the value of €10 million. This State should be united politically in sending out a strong message that we will not accept that. There must be no weakening of the resolve and no shying away from doing what is necessary, and anyone who votes against this motion will be seen as members of a party of protest, a party that opposes everything and a party that is not yet ready to lead this country or even be part of the leadership of this country in a serious way.

We support the Minister for Justice and Equality wholeheartedly on this, and we support the gardaí wholeheartedly in their fight against terrorism. I hope the House unites without calling a vote to send that clear message from the political system.