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Dissident Republican Activity

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Questions (130)

Micheál Martin

Question:

130. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he and his officials have discussed the latest dissident activity and bomb making find in Ballybough. [27837/17]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate the particular incident to which he refers is the subject of ongoing criminal proceedings and in that context it would not be appropriate to comment on it in detail.

In general terms, the House will be aware that the primary security threat faced by the State is that from republican paramilitary groups. There is a real and persistent threat here and in Northern Ireland from these so-called ‘dissident republican’ groups whose aim is a return to the misery and bloodshed of past decades. These groups have no support in the wider community. They are inextricably linked in their activities to organised criminal gangs. Indeed, they are deeply involved in serious crime in order to fund their activities and their lifestyles. Their actions are quite simply an affront to the peaceful wishes of the vast majority of law-abiding people on this island who abhor these groups, their violence and their criminality.

I can assure the Deputy that countering terrorism has always been a priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána and nothing has changed in that regard. The Garda authorities continue to work actively to disrupt and counter these paramilitary groups and to tackle the crime gangs with which they are linked. That work will continue and be enhanced. The Gardaí also co-operate very closely with their police and security counterparts in Northern Ireland in bearing down on these groups. That close, operational relationship is central to maintaining security on this island and the Garda and PSNI authorities deserve praise for their continued work to ensure the safety of all communities on this island.

I am strongly committed to ensuring that the Gardaí continue to have the resources they need to bear down on these groups, not just in terms of personnel and equipment, but also in terms of the legislative provisions available. The House can rest assured that the Gardaí will take all appropriate measures, within the rule of law, to defeat these groups.

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