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Northern Ireland Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Questions (153)

Niall Collins

Question:

153. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on concerns regarding ongoing Irish Republican Army activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35218/15]

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Written answers

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 has been maintaining close liaison with the PSNI in respect of the investigation into the murder of Mr. McGuigan and I 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. On consideration of any such assessment I will decide what information might appropriately be put into the public domain.

In addition, 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.

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