Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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499. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to proscribe formally a group (detail supplied) as a terrorist organisation under the Offences Against the State Acts 1939-1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22837/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Government attaches the highest priority to the security of the State and the people.

The State has a strong body of laws in place to counter terrorism and sustain our national security. The primary body of law in this regard is the Offences Against the State Acts 1939-1998 and the Criminal Law Act 1976 which were enacted and have been applied to combat the threat from domestic terrorism and subversion.

The Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Acts 2005-2015 were enacted to have particular application to international terrorism and give effect to a number of international legal measures to combat terrorist activities. These laws are supported directly by a range of provisions in the general criminal law aimed at supporting the authorities to combat serious crimes.

The Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 makes explicit provision to ensure that any organisation which engages in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity is an unlawful organisation and that the provisions of the Offences Against the State Acts 1939-1998 and the Criminal Law Act 1976 have application to it.

The Group in question and individuals connected to it are subject to a range of EU restrictive measures (sanctions) in connection with their activities in Ukraine and elsewhere. My colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs has indicated that Ireland will continue to work with EU partners to ensure that appropriate action is taken and will consider any proposals made to further address the human rights abuses and destabilising activities of the this Group.

In the circumstances I do not intend to take steps under domestic legislation in respect of the group concerned.