James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to support what Senator Whelan has said. It is a shame that libraries seem to be the first thing on the chopping block when a few bob needs to be saved. It is something that should certainly be looked at.
Yesterday's Irish Independentreported that toxic sludge is being dumped in waterways around the Border counties, particularly around north Louth, by people who are involved in the illegal fuel laundering business. The Criminal Assets Bureau, which I believe tends to be rather conservative in its estimates, has estimated that this business is worth between €35 million and €40 million per annum. We are not talking about beans here - we are talking about huge money. This business is being run by the Provisional IRA, which is still in operation. While it may have opened its arms dumps here and there, it is still ruling the roost in the Border areas and controlling communities through threats and intimidation. I would like to mention an allegation that is out there. It is rather serious for the security of this State in particular. The Provisional IRA's money laundering gang would put the organised crime gangs in Dublin, Limerick or anywhere else in the ha'penny place. These are the dons. They are the same people who murdered young Paul Quinn in the most brutal and barbaric fashion in 2007. The allegation out there is that there is light-touch policing going on between the Garda and the PSNI. It is perceived that the reason they are not nailing these people relates to the advancement and protection of the peace process. We need to have a wide-ranging debate on this issue in this Chamber. If these murderers and criminals are operating in a certain fashion and getting away with it, and the State does not seem to be following it up, that certainly needs to be addressed here.