Vol. 540 No. 3
298 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his policy regarding the continued holding of substantial arms within the State by the Provisional IRA and the approach being taken by the law enforcement authorities in this matter. [20593/01]
The Garda Síochána have long been successful in seizing substantial amounts of arms illegally held in the State, and there has been no change of approach by the Garda in relation to this matter.
The Decommissioning Act, 1997, and regulations made under it provide for the decommissioning of such arms.
299 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his understanding of the links and relationship between the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin; and if he will make a statement on the appropriateness of links of this nature between illegal organisations and a political party. [20594/01]
The Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice of Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to give precise details of the intelligence information available to them, but the Deputy will be aware of the traditional associations within parts of the republican movement.
In the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin, along with all the other parties to the Agreement, committed itself to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues, and reaffirmed its opposition to any use or threat of force by others for any political purpose, whether in regard to the Agreement or otherwise.
300 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Provisional IRA has ceased all punishment beatings, victim targetting and military training. [20595/01]
While the structures of the Provisional IRA remain in place, I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence of that organisation carrying out any punishment beating, victim targeting or military training in this jurisdiction at this time.
301 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on a report in a newspaper (details supplied) that the Provisional IRA bought 200 handguns in Florida and subsequently used some of them to murder people accused of drug dealing; and if this activity is consistent with the IRA ceasefire. [20596/01]
The Deputy will be aware that in 1999 a substantial consignment of firearms in transit from Florida to Ireland was intercepted in the United Kingdom. Three persons were subsequently convicted and sentenced in the United States in connection with this matter. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence to confirm that any person accused of drug dealing was murdered with any of these weapons.
