Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the extent of subversive criminal activity on the island of Ireland by dissident republicans and the further steps that can be taken in this jurisdiction or in co-operation with and by way of support for the authorities in Northern Ireland to end this criminality [36971/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The increase in activities in recent months by these supposed republicans, the so-called dissidents, is obviously a matter of concern for the Government. I know that all Members of the House will join me in condemning these groups without reserve. The Independent Monitoring Commission has outlined the range of criminal activity in which they are involved, and we should be clear that these people are no more than criminals using violent means in pursuit of their own ends. They have no support in the wider community for their criminal ends or for their violent means.

I can assure the House that the Gardaí continue to co-operate seamlessly with the PSNI in actively pursuing these groups. The Garda Commissioner has stated that he regards an attack on the PSNI as an attack on the Garda Síochána, an attitude shared by the Government. The Chief Constable of the PSNI has also referred to the excellent operational relationship between the two forces. This close level of operational co-operation has been instrumental in recent months in preventing attacks, combating criminality and saving lives, and it will continue to be an essential element in bringing these criminals to book.

It is only right to record the fact that the Garda Síochána and its counterparts in Northern Ireland have had significant successes. Since the start of this year the Gardaí have arrested over 50 people believed to be members of these groups and over 20 are at present before the courts.

Facing up to these groups is a priority for the Garda Síochána and, in support of this aim, the Government has maintained a high level of resources for the Force. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that he has the resources he needs at his disposal in this regard.

We will continue, in co-operation with the authorities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, to spare no effort to ensure that those thugs who seek to subvert the democratic will of the people will face the full rigours of the law.