Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is regrettable that year after year we have no choice but to renew the provisions of the 1998 Act. More than ever before, these measures are absolutely necessary. The Minister has rightly pointed out the reason the Act had to be brought in back in 1998. The threat to the State and our citizens is as prevalent today as it was then. It has probably become even more prevalent in recent times. We have seen the situation with dissident republicans trying to destroy what has been achieved through the Good Friday Agreement and the work of many people. We see what is going on on the streets of Dublin, where people are being gunned down week after week. It is appropriate that we should pay tribute to An Garda Síochána for the work it has done to try to take some of these criminals off the streets and put them behind bars. The reality is that people are being killed and this legislation and these measures are necessary. We in this House should be open to increasing the provisions of the legislation and giving more powers to the Garda if deemed necessary. We need zero tolerance for any kind of dissident or criminal activity that undermines the State and those living in it.

I pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Flanagan. When he was Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, he put in a tireless effort to re-establish the institutions in Northern Ireland. It is pitiful today that this still has not happened. Since Deputy Flanagan became Minister for Justice and Equality he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the budgets are there to send people to Templemore. There is to be a passing out parade at Templemore tomorrow. More gardaí are going to be on the streets within the next two weeks - young people who are dedicating their lives to protecting others. The Minister has a very proud record in his short time as Minister for Justice and Equality in terms of getting this country up and safe and ensuring that gardaí are trained and legislation brought in to protect the people.

It will be wonderful if someday we do not have to renew the measures in the 1998 Act. It is incumbent on everybody with a role to play to ensure that happens. It is the type of future we should be looking for for the next generation. However, until such time as that happens we are going to be here year in, year out, ensuring that the measures are renewed. It is appropriate that we come back every 12 months to do so, to remind people as to the reason the legislation had to be created in the first place.