Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senators in congratulating the Minister of State on his reappointment. It is obviously a great relief to him to continue the good work he is doing. It is also a great relief to many of us here who have a deep interest in the Department of Justice and Equality because he has been doing phenomenal work in that area. Unfortunately, 12 months is not enough and a significant portion of that involves getting to know the structures, the system and reading into the briefs and so forth. I look forward to substantial progress in the Department as I know it is about to happen. I wish him well. I think I speak for all my colleagues in saying we will co-operate with him in any legislation he feels is necessary to deal with issues such as direct provision and the migrant crisis.

This is this third or fourth year in which I have supported the provisions of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. I do so against the backdrop of what is happening in London almost weekly. There is a new type of terrorism, and unfortunately this country has had its fair share of activities that were unbecoming. The provisions of this Act are necessary. It is unfortunate, as previous speakers have said, that it is necessary, but I commend the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, on initiating a COBRA style emergency response Cabinet committee to examine the threats posed in this country and how we would react to such threats. This country, North and South, has experience of terrorism and we have to be ready for the new type of terrorism. If we need to strengthen the provisions of the 1998 Act, so be it. We are better off being prepared than not. I support this provision and recognise the unfortunate necessity for it. I thank colleagues for supporting it.