Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the discussions he has held with the Northern Executive and British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to combating the threat presented by militant dissident activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1359/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I meet frequently and maintain ongoing contact with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, with regard to the security situation and efforts to combat threats from criminal terrorists, the so-called ‘dissident republican’ groups.

The ongoing threat which these groups present is a matter of shared concern to us. We also share a strong resolve to take all necessary actions within the law to combat the activities of these groups.

We must be clear, of course, that these so-called 'dissident republicans' are criminal terrorists who use lethal violence in pursuit of their own, often personal, ends. We should also be aware that they are deeply and inextricably involved in serious crime in order to fund their activities and their lifestyles.

Countering the threat from terrorists has always been a priority for the Garda Síochána and nothing has changed in that regard. The Gardaí continue in their efforts to counteract these groups and their activities.

I can assure the Deputy that the gardaí continue to co-operate seamlessly with their police and security counterparts in Northern Ireland in actively bearing down on these groups. Operational policing co-operation is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI and both police chiefs have emphasised the close and high quality co-operation between their forces. This has been instrumental in preventing attacks, combating criminality and saving lives.

There is also a close and ongoing working relationship between our officials. By working together on matters of mutual concern and interest we can improve community safety for all the people on this island. We will continue, in co-operation with the authorities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, to spare no effort to ensure that those criminal terrorists who seek to subvert the democratic will of the people will face the full rigours of the law.