Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2012
20. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the threat of violence by persons or groups commonly referred to as dissidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50182/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe peace process and the Good Friday Agreement have resulted in a transformation of society in Northern Ireland, perhaps most visibly in the normalisation of daily life and the dramatic decrease in terrorist-related incidents and violence. There remains, however, a threat from paramilitary groups who continue to assert their determination to impose a return to conflict on the people of Ireland. My Government colleagues and I discuss cross-border security issues and the threat posed by so-called dissident groups on a continuous basis with our partners in Northern Ireland. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement we are keenly aware of our responsibilities in this regard. Any discussion of this issue is of course overshadowed by the murder on Thursday 1 November of Prison Officer David Black. The universal condemnation from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland and the unified reactions from the two Governments underlined the solidity of the peace process. Public statements made by the Taoiseach, Minister Shatter and by myself reinforced the message of the two Governments standing together in solidarity with Prison Officer Black’s family and his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. My colleague Minister Shatter attended Mr. Black’s funeral.
I also had the opportunity to speak with Minister Ford at the North South Ministerial Council on 2 November and to convey through him my sympathies and those of the Government to his widow Yvonne and to his children Kyra and Kyle. I also discussed the matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when we met last Tuesday, 6 November.
In addition to discussions at political level, strong and deep cooperation exists between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to counter such individuals and groups. The number of arrests in connection with paramilitary activity made in both jurisdictions continues to be significant. The Gardaí and the PSNI will continue to cooperate very closely to combat such activity on both sides of the border.
