Vol. 491 No. 2
138 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people believed to be involved in or associated with paramilitary bodies in this State and within Northern Ireland; and the strength of each paramilitary organisation in general terms. [7828/98]
The number of individuals who may belong to, or be associated with or sympathetic towards the objectives of paramilitary organisations varies from time to time and it has not been the practice to provide Garda estimates on this.
Various considerations, apart from the number of individuals involved, come into the reckoning, of course, when it comes to assessing the "strength" of these groups, such as their level of access to weapons and explosives, their level of expertise, organisational structure and so on.
It is a matter of common knowledge and, unfortunately experience also, that there are groups who have the will and the capacity to engage in acts of terrorism. However, it is important to know, also, that the Garda are constantly active in thwarting the efforts of these groups and important to repeat that the Government, like its predecessors, will face down any threats which groups of this kind may pose to the hopes and expectations of the vast majority, of people on this island, for peace.
The activities of paramilitary bodies in Northern Ireland is a matter, in the first instance, for the authorities there, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter beyond confirming that the excellent co-operation which exists between both Governments and the security forces on both sides in connection with the activities of these bodies, is and will continue to be maintained.
