Statements on Northern Ireland

9 February 2010


I am delighted to welcome significant progress in the devolution of functions to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Real change is not easy and never quick in coming but recent events show that tenacity can deliver real results.

My colleagues have already outlined Fine Gael’s views on the positive developments in Northern Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity, in my capacity as Fine Gael’s Justice Spokesman, to refer to the threat posed by dissidents on both sides of the border, a threat that historically has grown out of the political situation in the North.

First, I would like to welcome the announcement yesterday by the INLA, the Official IRA and the loyalist South-East Antrim Brigade that their illegal weapons have been destroyed as part of the decommissioning process.

These groups have recognised that political dialogue achieves far more than violence ever could. Regrettably, there remains a rump of irredentist dissidents who refuse to acknowledge the will of the people and the authority of the State.

However, it is clear from recent developments that the threat from dissident republicans on this island has now reached very dangerous levels. Just last month, a PSNI officer was critically injured when a bomb exploded under his car.

Experts have been warning for the last few months that there has been a realignment of terrorists in Northern Ireland with a new group emerging from hardliners among the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA.

In the period 2007-2009 there were more than 750 bomb alerts in the North, an average of one each day. Although no one has been killed by the RIRA and the CIRA since the vicious murders of two soldiers and policeman last March, terrorist actions are averaging one a day.

The most recent report of the Independent Monitoring Commission suggested that the threat level is “very serious” and at its highest in six years.

Even among groups that have theoretically abandoned the path of violence, there are worrying signs that the legacy of violence has not been left behind completely.

We all recall the brutal murder of Paul Quinn for which no-one was ever convicted despite a widely held belief that the Provisional IRA was responsible for Paul’s death. At the weekend, Assembly Member Dominic Bradley told the SDLP conference that there is still a “functioning murder machine” run by republicans in South Armagh.

Mr. Bradley further warned that although the Provisional IRA’s Army Council has prohibited punishment beatings, south Armagh IRA members simply do as they please.

He stated: “Even if the Provisional IRA has theoretically been stood down, individual members still have access to its structures, skills and experience. And the group as a whole is still trying to exercise community control – and worst of all it can still draw on political support from Sinn Féin in exercising that control.” A chilling warning.

In the South there are ongoing warnings that dissidents are involved in vigilante style activity. Leaflets being circulated in Cork attribute the recent murder of Gerard Staunton, a convicted drug dealer, to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement. The leaflet also claims that the Real IRA has a list of alleged drug dealers who they have "marked for execution".

I understand that Gardaí are investigating these claims.

I would urge Minister Ahern to take decisive steps to address the threat posed by dissidents to life and limb.

There is a clear need for increased border security and intelligence resources to counteract the increasing terrorist threat. Senior Garda posts must be filled.

We require both a political response and a security response from Minister Dermot Ahern. Last month’s bomb in the North shows that the situation is continuing to deteriorate and I believe we need to do all we can in the Republic to protect lives from the threat posed by terrorists.

Ends