Vol. 430 No. 7
22 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) that five prominent IRA directors are at large here; her views on the accuracy of the report; and the action, if any, she proposes to take on the matter.
I have already taken the opportunity in this House in the course of my contribution to the recent debate on Northern Ireland to reject the assertion underlying the report referred to in the question that this State is not doing all it can to apprehend and convict those responsible for terrorist actions. I referred on that occasion to our substantial commitment of Garda and other resources, our recovery of large quantities of terrorist arms and explosives and our many successful prosecutions of terrorist suspects as clear indications of this State's commitment to defeating terrorism. Our record in combating terrorism speaks for itself. It is not the record of a State which would seek to harbour any person responsible for an act of terrorism.
As to the contents of the article referred to in the question, the authorities both here and in Britain acknowledge that persons suspected of involvement in terrorism reside in both parts of Ireland and in Britain. The authorities in either jurisdiction do not lack the resources, powers or commitment to arrest and charge these suspects. The essential element required is evidence; suspicion alone is not sufficient to convict a person of a criminal offence whether in this jurisdiction, in Northern Ireland or in Britain.
