Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has held with the Northern Executive and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the activities of criminals, commonly referred to as dissidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8932/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The peace process and the Good Friday Agreement have resulted in a transformation of society in Northern Ireland, perhaps most visibly in the dramatic decrease in terrorist-related incidents and violence. There remains, however, a threat from paramilitary groups who are determined to impose a return to conflict on the people of Ireland. My Government colleagues and I discuss cross-border security issues and the threat posed by so-called dissident groups on a continuous basis with our partners in Northern Ireland. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement we are keenly aware of our responsibilities in this regard. When I met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Ms. Theresa Villiers MP on 11 February 2013 in Dublin we discussed the ongoing, cross-border threat posed by certain groups.

In recent months our discussions with the British Government and the Executive, have been taken place against the background of the murder in November 2012 of Prison Officer David Black. The universal condemnation from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland and the unified reactions from the two Governments underlined the solidity of the peace process. Public statements made by the Taoiseach, Minister Shatter and by myself reinforced the message of the two Governments standing together in solidarity with Prison Officer Black’s family and his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. My colleague Minister Shatter attended Mr. Black’s funeral.

It is worth noting that a number of unsuccessful attempts to injure and kill members of the security forces in Northern Ireland have taken place since the murder of Officer Black and the Government is not complacent about the persistence of the threat.

In addition to discussions at political level, strong and deep cooperation exists between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to counter such individuals and groups. The number of arrests in connection with paramilitary activity made in both jurisdictions continues to be significant. The Gardaí and the PSNI will continue to cooperate very closely to combat such activity on both sides of the border.