Adequate resources must be provided for policing services North and South to counteract the threats and violence of paramilitary groups – Brendan Smith TD

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The bombing incident and other violence last week in Derry and subsequently in Belfast are a frightening reminder of the atrocities inflicted on innocent people in this country over a period of more than 30 years.

Governments must ensure that adequate resources are provided for policing services North and South to deal with and counteract such criminal activity.

I raised this matter in Dáil Éireann and below is a reply by the Foreign Affairs Minister –

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For Written Answer on : 24/01/2019
Question Number(s): 83 Question Reference(s): 3686/19
Department: Foreign Affairs and Trade
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the bombing incident and attack in Derry on 19 January 2019; if he is satisfied that the necessary resources are available in Northern Ireland and here to deal with and counteract such threats from paramilitary groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

I know that I speak for all members of this House in our utter condemnation of the hijacking and bombing in Derry on 19 January and the subsequent hijackings and security alerts. The people behind such violence have neither mandate nor legitimacy nor support in the community. Their actions show a callous and reckless disregard for human life, and risk causing serious injury and loss of life to innocent bystanders and members of the police and emergency services.

I also wish to welcome the leadership shown by political and civic leaders from across the community in Derry in the past few days. The people who have carried out these attacks do not speak for the people of Derry, nor the people of this island. Their methods are repugnant to the desire of the Irish people for peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley about the situation in Derry on Monday last and we reiterated our condemnation of these incidents, as well as our support for An Garda Síochána and PSNI who continue to work together to keep people safe.

Dissident republican activity continues to poses a threat to public safety on both sides of the border. There is close, ongoing co-operation between all levels of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. The Gardaí work seamlessly with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in actively bearing down on those involved in such activity and on the organised crime gangs to which they are linked.