Fianna Fáil has published a new Bill, which will aim to clamp down on the spate of rural crime sweeping across the country by targeting mobile gangs.

The Bill introduced in the Dáil last week will set up CCTV cameras at all major road junctions in order to assist Gardai in identifying and apprehending criminal gangs using the motorway network. It will be debated in the Dáil in the coming months but requires Government support for it to come into law.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith explained, “Communities across Cavan and Monaghan have been hit by a spike in crime over the past year.  Many of these robberies are being carried out by organised gangs who tour the country and mark out areas to target.  These gangs are travelling from the bigger towns and cities, using the motorway network as an easy access route.  We need to ensure that greater protection measures are put in place to guard against these targeted attacks and these proposals will go a long way to achieving that.

“There have been a number of particularly high profile robberies in Cavan and Monaghan in recent months and communities are genuinely living in fear.  We cannot continue to allow career criminals abuse our motorway network to terrorise people in their own homes and businesses.  Fianna Fáil has consistently called for more resources for Gardai to tackle rural crime and the rolling out of CCTV along our motorways will provide additional supports to officers on the ground.

“This is a simple, practical Bill to help the Gardai do their job. The Cavan-Monaghan division has suffered a huge depletion in Garda numbers over the past four years and every available resource is needed to assist the officers who are tasked with policing this area.  Nationally there has been an 8% increase in crime levels, and the fear levels in communities across Cavan and Monaghan are rising as well.  This Bill is one step on the road to addressing this.

“We want to see this proposed legislation debated as quickly as possible.  The Government claims to be committed to tackling rural crime, it should back up these claims by supporting this Bill when it reaches the floor of the Dáil”.

Fianna Fáil Frontbench Spokesperson on Border Region Development Brendan Smith TD has welcomed the fact that another deal has been agreed in Belfast, but warned that the latest agreement, entitled ‘A Fresh Start’ must not be another false start.

The Cavan-Monaghan TD welcomed the fact that Fianna Fáil’s calls for the reinstatement of a paramilitary monitoring commission and the creation of a cross border crime task force have been included in the agreement, but expressed concern about the failure of the recent talks process to agree on mechanisms to deal with the past.

Deputy Smith commented, “People in the North have had enough of political games. They want their representatives to take responsibility and start delivering. This ‘Fresh Start’ Agreement must not be another false start, where the crisis is just kicked down the road past the next elections. Having taken some time to review the document, it is far from clear what is hugely different in this agreement from what went before in the Stormont House Agreement. Responsibility for making the actual decisions on welfare reform has been handed back to Westminster and the critical issue of dealing with the past has been postponed again, and both of these developments will give people cause for concern.

“Following recent violence and reports on the activity of paramilitary groups, Fianna Fáil called for the reintroduction of a paramilitary monitoring commission and the establishment of a properly resourced cross-border agency to deal with organised crime. Both of these suggestions have been accepted and we welcome this.

“We also called for solid commitments on Narrow Water Bridge and the upgrade of the A5 and while we welcome the commitment to press ahead with the A5, we are very disappointed that the Narrow Water Bridge receives only a vague and passing mention.

“The damage to public confidence in Northern Ireland created by the political games and paramilitary activity cannot and must not be underestimated. For the last four years, citizens whose buy-in and support is critically important have watched with dismay as the promise of the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions gave way to mistrust and recrimination among the political establishment in Belfast.

“Fianna Fáil’s hope is that the public will give the political establishment another chance with implementing this deal, but if the main parties revert again to the games of the last four years, it is not clear how many more chances they will get.”

I  extend my sympathies to the families and friends of those who were killed or injured in Friday night’s terrorist attacks, and to also extend my sympathies to the people of France and in particular the people of Paris on the horrendous violence that befell their Capital and their city. Such indiscriminate use of violence on innocent people is abhorrent and I condemn these attacks in the strongest of terms.  The murder of 129 people and the wounding of 352 people is an act of barbarity.

The effects of the atrocities in Paris have had global consequences. Citizens from at least 15 countries are known to have died demonstrating that while the attacks may have been on French soil, their devastating impact has reverberated around the world.   One Irish citizen was physically injured in the Bataclan Theatre and I take this opportunity to wish him a full and speedy recovery, and to also extend our support to Irish citizens living in France. As a country that has suffered its own terrorist attacks we know only too well the fear and anxiety that can descend in the aftermath of the attacks and our thoughts and solidarity are with the people of France during this terrible time.

Unfortunately, it is only 10 months ago since Paris bore witness to similar violence when 17 people were murdered when the offices of Charlie Hebdo and a supermarket were attacked. To have to grieve again so soon is shocking and desperately sad. It is an affront to democracy, decency and Justice.

In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attack the people of France and indeed the people of Europe united in solidarity and in defiance of extremism.  European leaders walked arm-in-arm in Paris in defence of European values and free speech. Governments committed to work even more closely together to fight terrorism and religious extremism. The recent attacks will I hope only serve to strengthen this unity and solidarity amongst European nations and compel us to redouble our efforts to rid the world of this evil.

The atrocities in Paris, and other recent attacks in Beiruit, Tunisa and Turkey, and the blowing up of a Russian airliner in Egypt, expose not only the brutality and ruthlessness of extremists groups, but also their ability to plan and orchestrate large scale and multiple attacks that lead to a significant loss of life.  Last Friday night brought home to us that these groups will stop at nothing to undermine freedom and democracy, values held dear in Europe but vehemently opposed by Isis who have claimed responsibility for the attacks.

It is clear that individual national responses will not be enough to fight terrorism and a co-ordinated European and indeed world-wide response is required. The advance of social media and use of technologies such as the internet and global communication networks has made it easier for terrorist groups to not only spread their ideology but also to recruit, organise and radicalise groups of people in different countries.  Terrorist groups are also using these social media platforms to finance their criminal activities.

The attacks in Paris would appear to have been well planned and co-ordinated. It was not the work of a few disenfranchised individuals and for that reason I echo the Taoiseach’s call for better security cooperation and the sharing of intelligence across Europe. The sharing of intelligence is crucial to detecting terrorist cells and undermining the work of terrorist groups. The advance of Isis is no longer confined to the Middle East and the attacks in Paris demonstrate the need for greater intelligence sharing, and coordination between security agencies.

All European nations, including Ireland have a role to play in this. I note that the State’s National Security Committee met last Saturday and I hope that the Irish Government will do all it can to work with our European colleagues in this regard.

While the threat to Ireland of a terrorist attack by Isis appears to be low, we must nevertheless remain very vigilant. We cannot be complacent in believing that we are immune from attacks. Furthermore, we must ensure that young people living in Ireland do not become disenfranchised and take up the Isis cause. There have been reports that some 20-30 people have travelled from Ireland to take part in various conflicts in recent years, and the Irish Government and our security forces have a role to play in monitoring the activities of such individuals, but also working with communities to ensure that they are not left on the margins of society.

The attacks raise questions and no doubt pose major challenges for  Europe, but we must be measured in our response and in our approach. Our response should be not be premised on an ‘us versus them’ mentality.  This would only play into the hands of  Isis. Their ideology is skewed and has no place in a civilised, democratic society. All of us who hold dear the principles of democracy and freedom have a role to play in ensuring that fundamentalism does not take hold and that we do not play into the hands of terrorists who want divide rather than unite, and whose aim is to fuel hatred between people of different religions.

The arrival of more than one million refugees in Europe this year has posed challenges for Europe and it has caused tension between and within countries. Many of these refugees are fleeing war and a savage conflict in Syria. Undoubtedly, there may well be some attempts to use the Paris attacks as an excuse to reject offering any refuge to those fleeing the conflict in Syria. We in Fianna Fáil reject this. We are of the opinion that the overwhelming majority of those seeking refuge in the European Union are trying to escape the horrors of conflicts in which those who committed the atrocities in Paris are key protagonists. We do not want the Paris attacks to give oxygen to a xenophobic ideology and fundamentally undermine the principle of the free movement of people, which is one of the building blocks of the European Union.

To that end, Fianna Fáil supports a fair and proportionate EU resettlement programme to be agreed at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council. We welcome the acceptance of 4,000 refugees but believe the government and statutory agencies must fully engage with NGOs in order to secure a sustainable integration policy for refugees.

The challenges that we face are significant, but they are not insurmountable. The Paris attacks have consequences that span the personal, the political, the social and economic spheres. The war in Syria, the migration crisis in Europe and the attacks on democracy and freedom by Isis demonstrate in very clear terms the challenges before us. However, it is imperative that all of these terrible events are not used as an opportunity to exploit radicalism on the one hand and xenophobia on the other. Social cohesion and unity are required.

These barbaric attacks must assist in uniting the world against such violence. We as a nation and as a member of the European Union must stand together in the face of such fundamentalism and work collectively to detect, deter and dismantle such groups.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan and Party Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Brendan Smith has, once again, called on the British Government to remove all obstacles to full and proper investigations into the bombings and the murder of innocent people in Belturbet in December 1972 and in Monaghan and Dublin in May 1974.

Speaking to Northern Sound Deputy Smith outlined the need for a full investigation into the bombing in Belturbet on the 28th December 1972.

“Nobody has ever been brought to justice for this atrocity, which resulted in the deaths of Geraldine O’Reilly and Paddy Stanley. This horrific bombing should be referred to the Historical Investigations Unit which will be established following the signing of the Stormont House Agreement last December and the current All Party Talks which are underway at Stormont”, said Deputy Smith.

The Cavan-Monaghan Deputy tabled further Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding the bombings in Belturbet, Cavan and Monaghan. He has repeatedly called for the the British Government to deal with the motions passed unanimously in Dáil Éireann on two occasions calling on the British Government to give access to an eminent legal person to all papers and files relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of the 17th May 1974 which resulted in the deaths of 33 innocent people.

“Both the Fianna Fáil Party Leader, Deputy Micheál Martin and myself met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Teresa Villiers and also with the British Ambassador and we raised again the need for the British Government to respond positively to the unanimous call of Dáil Éireann for British co-operation in a full and a proper investigation of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.  The least the victims and the families of all these atrocities deserve is the truth about who carried out these murderous deeds more than 40 years ago.

“Every obstacle must be removed by the British Government to ensure full and proper investigations are undertaken in respect of these bombings and the perpetrators of such crimes need to be brought to justice,” concluded Deputy Smith.

Replies to Parliamentary Questions by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and by the Minister for Justice and Equality attached.

ENDS

QUESTION NO: 339

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)

by Deputy Brendan Smith

for WRITTEN on Tuesday, 10th November, 2015.

* To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in relation to a full investigation into the bombing in Belturbet in County Cavan in December 1972, which resulted in the death of two young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

– Brendan Smith

REPLY.

The Deputy will share my view that the bombing at Belturbet on 28 December 1972 which took two innocent young lives was a tragic and unjustifiable act of brutality. There are no words to describe the suffering and grief that the families have endured.

The bombing and two murders in Belturbet were the subject of a thorough investigation at the time by An Garda Síochána, with expert assistance provided to the investigation by the Army. The investigation also involved close liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland in an effort to bring the perpetrators to justice. Although every avenue of inquiry which was open to the investigation was pursued at that time there was no evidence to bring those responsible to justice. It remains a source of disappointment that no one has yet been brought to justice for these murders.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into these murders remains open and should any new or additional evidence emerge from any source, it will be pursued fully by An Garda Síochána.

The Deputy will also be aware that dealing with the legacy of the troubles on this island is difficult and complex challenge. The Stormont House Agreement provides for a number of initiatives that will establish an overarching framework to address the past. The Government is fully committed to playing its part in implementing those measures and I hope they may provide an opportunity for the families of persons killed during the troubles to access further information.

Question No. 135

Parliamentary Question – Oireachtas
　
To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of any recent discussions that he had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and/or with the British Foreign Secretary, in relation to the need for the British Government to release files/papers pertaining to the Dublin/Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Brendan Smith.
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2015
Ref No: 36933/15

REPLY

The Government fully supports the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents in their possession relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I have raised this issue with the British Government on a number of occasions, including most recently on 8 October, and have received assurances from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the British Government is actively considering how it can respond to the Dáil motions.

The Taoiseach has also raised this issue with Prime Minister Cameron, most recently on 18 June, emphasising the Government’s continued support for the Dáil motions.

Cases, such as the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, must be adequately addressed if we are to achieve a genuinely reconciled society. Successive Irish Governments, in our ongoing bilateral relations and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, have raised the issue of collusion with the British Government.

Many families, including those bereaved by incidents in which collusion has been alleged, continue to deal not only with the awful pain of losing a loved one, but with the struggle for answers decades after these traumatic events. I understand and acknowledge the frustration of families who for too long have had to contend with inadequate mechanisms for addressing their cases. For that reason, the establishment of a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement, remains a priority of the Government. We believe that these mechanisms offer the best hope of helping the thousands of families touched by the Troubles – including those affected by collusion.

These institutions will include a Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) to take forward investigations into Troubles-related deaths, as well as an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) to enable victims and survivors seek and privately receive information about Troubles-related deaths. Good progress is being made in the current political talks on the establishment of these institutions which I believe will assist all victims, including the victims of collusion, in their quest for justice and the truth.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Border Region Development Brendan Smith TD has expressed his frustration that despite a €18m upgrade of the Dublin-Belfast train service, journey times for passengers are not being improved in any way.  Despite the large investment, people travelling between the two cities can still expect a journey time of up to two hours and twenty minutes.

Deputy Smith commented, “This is the first major investment for the Dublin-Belfast line in quite some time and it was well overdue, but unfortunately it will do nothing to tackle the biggest bugbear for users of the services – namely the need for much more regular services and the excessive travel times.

“The Governments on both sides of the border have a duty to passengers travelling between the two cities but unfortunately a commitment to improve services appears to have slipped down the priority list.

“We need to get serious about our North-South infrastructure, instead of treating it as an afterthought, as has been the case over the past 4 years.  Both Governments must work together to ensure a rail link between Ireland’s two largest cities that is appropriate to the 21st Century.  Vague commitments are no longer acceptable.  The Enterprise service is a key transport link on this island that many thousands of people rely on every week.  Steps must be taken to ensure that the service is a viable travel option, rather than a slower, more expensive alternative to the car and there is a responsibility on the Government here and the Northern Ireland Assembly to give this project the priority it deserves”.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Brendan Smith TD spoke today of his dismay of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

Commenting on the attacks Deputy Smith said, “The events that unfolded last night are truly shocking. I and the Fianna Fáil party want to extend our deepest sympathies to those killed and injured in the attacks. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the French nation, and in particular the people of Paris.

“We also offer our support to Irish citizens living in Paris and will assist them in any way we can.

“Fianna Fáil condemns in the strongest terms the Paris attacks and the indiscriminate use of violence on innocent people. Such violence is abhorrent and illustrates the ongoing threat of terrorist groups. We as a nation and as a member of the European Union must stand united and work collectively to detect, deter and dismantle such groups.

“I am calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to liaise closely with his European counterparts and to redouble efforts to ensure that the Irish Government is doing all it can to prevent such attacks from taking place.”

14/11/2015

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Border Region Development Brendan Smith TD will attend the SDLP’s annual conference in Armagh this evening.

Deputy Smith commented, “This Conference comes at a pivotal time for politics in Northern Ireland, as the future of devolved government is once again under the spotlight. The SDLP played an integral role in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement, which was the bedrock on which the peace process was built.

“I sincerely hope that the SDLP along with the other parties in the Stormont Executive, along with the two Governments, will be able to bring the latest negotiations to a successful conclusion. It is essential that outstanding issues are dealt with comprehensively and that the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement is brought to bear”.