Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1183: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the organisation known as the Real IRA exists; if it is a proscribed organisation; the extent of its membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1454/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the organisation known as the Provisional IRA still exists; if it is a proscribed organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1455/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the unit referred to as the Army Council of the IRA is still in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1456/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 to 1185, inclusive, together.

Pursuant to the Unlawful Organisation (Suppression) Order 1939, the organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (also the IRA and Oglaigh ne hÉireann) continues to be an unlawful organisation.

The so-called Real IRA (RIRA) continues to exist and is currently actively engaged in terrorist activity. The Garda Síochána continues to actively combat such activity. For operational reasons, it is not the practice nor would it be in the public interest to comment upon the extent of its membership.

The so-called Provisional IRA (PIRA) continues to exist but has been on ceasefire since 1997 and is not currently involved in terrorist or criminal activity according to the best advice available to me, including the most recent report of the Independent Monitoring Commission.

With regard to an Army Council of the IRA, in relation to PIRA, although there is ongoing debate as to the continued existence or otherwise of such a body, there is no evidence that such a body has recently convened. Equivalent bodies exist and are active in respect of both RIRA and the so-called Continuity IRA.