Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to be clear at the outset, in that those involved in fuel laundering or the destruction of our environment through the dumping of toxic sludge are criminals. Those involved in smuggling tobacco or any other product are criminals. Those involved in stealing farm equipment or animals are criminals. Those criminals are absolutely no friends to the Border communities.

Recently, there has been a sinister and systematic upswing in criminality across the Border area. Being from Cavan, I have seen it at first hand and have constantly heard about it on the local news. Diesel laundering, cigarette smuggling, cattle rustling, vehicle theft, the financial extortion of local businesses and more have become a blight on our communities. The gangs involved operate on a cross-Border basis, are co-operating with one another and are intergenerational. There has been vilification and demonisation of the communities of north Louth and south Armagh in particular.

My party has been mentioned in some of this afternoon's contributions, but the reality is that some of the most prominent republican families associated with its leadership have been standing up to organised crime, resulting in their being physically attacked, threatened and targeted by the criminal gangs.

In a recent newspaper article, a journalist from the Independent group claimed that the illegal cigarette trade had become one of the IRA's main sources of income alongside fuel laundering and that the body still maintained its military structure. My party spokesperson, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, wrote to the Garda Commissioner. I can circulate copies of her response to Senators. The letter written by the Commissioner's private secretary on her behalf stated categorically that the Garda held no information or intelligence to support the assertion that the Provisional IRA still maintained its military structure and confined its criminal activities to fuel laundering, cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting. The letter also stated that, in 2009, the Independent Monitoring Commission confirmed that the IRA's structures had been disbanded and that, while some former members were engaged in crime for personal gain, they did so without sanction or support.

Republicans in the Border areas have been standing up to organised crime. In response, criminals have threatened their lives. As a republican, I condemn the criminals' actions. They are criminals and should be treated as such. I support all efforts made by the policing authorities on both sides of the Border to stamp this out, given the damage it is doing to communities in my area and around the Border. The attempt to kill Mr. Francis McCabe junior outside Crossmaglen only a few short weeks ago represented a new, violent escalation in the activities of criminal gangs in south Armagh and north Louth. This escalation followed death threats against Mr. Francis McCabe senior and Mr. Conor Murphy, MP, in recent weeks. In the past number of years, these criminal gangs have become bolder, more organised and more dangerous.

There is no support for criminality among Border communities. If we are to stop these criminals from operating, it is imperative that there be a symbiotic relationship between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána in their investigations. I have listened intently to what has been stated about the group's report. If extra funding is necessary, it should be made available. The immediate investment in policing and customs in the Border areas is the only long-term solution to this problem. It would be financially progressive for the economies North and South. The Dáil is examining the Customs Bill 2014, which can improve the work of Revenue and customs. I look forward to all Members who are passionate about the issue examining this legislation with a view to strengthening it on behalf of the Border communities that have been affected.

We must tackle tax evasion. The Revenue Commissioners have stated that hiring an extra 125 staff would allow them to collect an additional €100 million per annum. If we assigned some of those staff to customs, it would be a bold and practical step in taking on tax evaders and smugglers.

I cannot state more strongly or loudly that what is under discussion is criminality. I do not support it in any way, shape or form. I welcome BIPA's report. We must be resolute in our condemnation of the actions. Anything that can be done should be done.