Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the increased use of violence in Derry recently, particularly the acts against the PSNI; and if he has discussed same with his UK counterpart. [37435/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been a worrying increase in the number and tempo of dissident republican attacks  in Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland. In the past ten days, the PSNI have recovered two bombs which they have attributed to the 'New IRA' and which they believe were intended to kill PSNI officers. During the search operation to retrieve the second bomb, in the Creggan area of Derry, the PSNI came under sustained attack from missiles and petrol bombs thrown by young people thought to be directed by older New IRA elements. In the previous week, there were also three paramilitary style attacks which have resulted in six people being injured.  

Let me reiterate, there is no place and no possible justification for the use or the threat of violence on this island.  The people of this island endorsed the Good Friday Agreement making clear that the only way to change the constitutional status of Northern Ireland is by peaceful and democratic means and through consent.  I call again on those engaged in violence to cease now, your actions are repugnant to the people of this island and are counter-productive to the vision you wrongly claim to represent.

This level of violence is entirely unacceptable and causes untold disruption and anxiety within communities. The people of the Derry City and Strabane District have been unequivocal in their condemnation of this violence and local politicians have been consistent in urging those responsible to get off the backs of the local communities.

My officials are in regular contact with local political and community representatives as well as the PSNI and will continue this engagement during this period of increased tension.  

I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith MP, and I met with him on Monday 16 September, as did my colleague the Minister for Justice Charles Flanagan. Both Governments are acutely aware that the current political vacuum is creating a situation which sinister elements such at the New IRA are seeking to exploit. We are continuing to work together on efforts to restore a functioning Executive and Assembly which will bring much needed stability for dealing with these types of threats.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned or has concerns regarding increased dissident activity in the Border region in the event of a hard Brexit. [37436/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am very concerned at the recent increase in dissident republican activity in border areas.

The discovery of bombs in Wattle Bridge, Fermanagh; Strabane, Co. Tyrone; and Derry city were all linked to dissident republican activity and were all intended to kill PSNI officers and risked the lives of people living in these areas.   

It is well understood that dissident republicans are using the current political vacuum in Northern Ireland and uncertainty created by Brexit as an opportunity to recruit new members and to perpetuate their false narrative. An Garda Síochana and PSNI authorities have said publicly that any border infrastructure or personnel would become targets for dissident republican paramilitaries and require police or other protection.  To be clear, the fragility in the peace process predates Brexit, but it is also clear that the Brexit process has exacerbated the regrettable polarisation that had already been occurring.

The Irish Government's determination to avoid a hard border reflects our determination to protect all of the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process, political, economic, societal and security.  Being cognisant of these risks, the Government has been consistent in its opposition to a hard border on the island of Ireland. The consequences of a no deal Brexit for the political process in Northern Ireland could be very damaging. A no deal Brexit risks the reintroduction of some form of checks near the border which could significantly undermine wider community relations and political stability in Northern Ireland, and would bring with it significant potential related security concerns. 

I am continuing to work urgently and in partnership with my counterpart, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to support the restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to full operation on a more sustainable basis, and to address key issues of division between the main parties that have affected partnership government in Northern Ireland. Having the institutions working on behalf of all the people of Northern Ireland would be an essential step to restoring positive momentum in the peace process and could make a major contribution to managing the impacts of any Brexit scenario on the island.

A no deal exit will not be our choice and the only clear way to avoid this is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement. Without the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop, there are no easy answers. There is a process of engagement between Ireland and the European Commission on how to meet, in a no deal scenario, our shared twin objectives of protecting the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it, and avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.