Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her concerns regarding the recent revelations regarding Irish Republican Army activity in criminality in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32847/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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On 12 August 2015, Kevin McGuigan was shot dead in Belfast and following the shooting the PSNI launched a murder investigation that is ongoing. Subsequent statements made by the PSNI referring to lines of enquiry in its investigation have attracted widespread commentary on both sides of the border.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that there can be no justification for such brutal acts of violence and those who engage in them should face the full rigours of the law. It is essential the PSNI is allowed to carry out its investigation and that anyone with any relevant information should bring it to the PSNI.

The position with regard to this jurisdiction in relation to the Provisional IRA has been made clear in statements issued by me and by the Garda Commissioner at the end of August and it is consistent with the assessments of the Provisional IRA provided previously by the Independent Monitoring Commission.

In the light of developments in Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána is maintaining close liaison with the PSNI in respect of the investigation into the murder of Mr McGuigan and I have asked the Garda Commissioner, in light of any new evidence emerging from that investigation, to let me have a fresh assessment of the status of the Provisional IRA.

The Deputy will be aware that in the context of the current discussions between the parties in Northern Ireland and the Irish and British governments, the British Government has arranged for an assessment to be made of paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.