Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the 13th report of the Independent Monitoring Commission in particular the sections detailing the actions and activities of republican paramilitaries; his further views on ongoing intelligence gathering for political purposes by republican groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4322/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The 13th Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission was requested by the two Governments as part of the St Andrews Agreement. The Report finds unambiguously that "terrorism and violence have been abandoned" by the Provisional IRA leadership. The decision of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to endorse policing, as well as the significant efforts made in securing that endorsement, are recognised by the IMC as further substantial evidence of the commitment to the democratic process.

On intelligence-gathering, the IMC states that it is its view that the Provisional IRA "is not gathering intelligence for paramilitary or other unlawful purposes". The report notes that "the organisation continues to gather information about suspected informers or dissidents, but again there is no indication that it has been used to support illegal activity".

I welcome the finding of the IMC that the IRA as an organisation is not involved in any form of criminality, in this area or elsewhere. I believe therefore there are no grounds for delay in moving ahead with the political process, and the timetable for devolution laid out at St Andrews.

The picture with regard to dissident republican groups is clearly less positive. The IMC confirms that dissident republican groups remain active and dangerous. They have engaged in incendiary attacks against commercial targets and have attempted a number of attacks on police stations. This and other activity is totally unacceptable. As the Tánaiste stated publicly when publishing the report, these findings stiffen the Government's resolve to ensure the Gardaí are given all the resources and backing necessary to counter the threat posed by these groups. There is a clear need for vigilance against attempts by such groups to destabilise the political process in the coming period.