Irish Paramilitary Bill

[Јas]

I have issues with a number of aspects of this bill, but one question in particular comes to the fore. I would like to ask the Secretary, if I may, is it your desire that the governement of Atlasia differs in it's viewpoint with the government of Ireland, the government of the United Kingdom and the Independent Monitoring Commission as to the activity of the Provisional IRA, given that these bodies hold the view publicly that the IRA has ceased involvement in terrorist and criminal activities and has ceased all training and recruitment?

I ask this question because if the answer is in the negative, then why should a ban be placed on political fundraising for Sinn Féin?
If answered in the negative, what evidence is there that the Provisional IRA are engaging in terrorist activity, that the two governemnts and the other Northern Irish parties have missed?

[Јas]

I have issues with a number of aspects of this bill, but one question in particular comes to the fore. I would like to ask the Secretary, if I may, is it your desire that the governement of Atlasia differs in it's viewpoint with the government of Ireland, the government of the United Kingdom and the Independent Monitoring Commission as to the activity of the Provisional IRA, given that these bodies hold the view publicly that the IRA has ceased involvement in terrorist and criminal activities and has ceased all training and recruitment?

I ask this question because if the answer is in the negative, then why should a ban be placed on political fundraising for Sinn Féin?
If answered in the negative, what evidence is there that the Provisional IRA are engaging in terrorist activity, that the two governemnts and the other Northern Irish parties have missed?

The bill itself was drafted in late June and naturally things have moved on since then. I am aware of the IMC's recent report and the efforts by the British and Irish governments in moving forward. There may be a case for an amendment to the bill that would strike therefore Sinn Fein from this bill. However I am also aware that such a move would be politically sensitive.

I would therefore support an amendment that would allow Sinn Feins removal from this bill once and if the Northern Irish Assembly reconvenes and the party takes it's place in the democratic arena in Northern Ireland as well as in the Irish Republic. In doing so recognising the authority of Assembly and therefore both the crown and the United Kingdom.

Supporting striking SF if the Assembly reconvenes, presumes that SF will be at fault if it does not. Indeed in recent days it is the actions of the DUP which, many would say, have caused the greatest difficulties.

My basis point was that as it is generally agreed that the Provisional IRA has ended it's terrorist campaign, has decommissioned, ended recruitment and training, is it right that Sinn Féin be prevented from fund-raising in Atlasia? I feel it is not (though I would emphasise that I personally do not support Sinn Féin or condone the previous actions of the Provisional IRA).

I would also ask the Secretary, whether or not the Continuity IRA would be a better fit for this bill (along with their political counterparts)?

Further, why is it that the PUP are the only unionist party prohibited from fundraising?

[Јas]

I wish to move the following 'whole bill' amendment:

1a. It shall be deemed illegal for any citizen or group to knowingly and willingly provide or furnish with money, financial assistance and or aid, weaponry of all natures, goods of all natures and manpower, to any Irish paramilitary organisation, covered by this Act, operating within or without the island of Ireland.

1b. It shall be deemed illegal for any citizen or group to knowingly and or willingly harbour, offer sanctuary or to wilfully protect members of any Irish paramilitary organisation, covered by this Act, operating within or without the island of Ireland.

1c. It shall be deemed illegal to provide any of the aformentioned assistance to any 'political organisation and or front' part of, or allied to any Irish paramilitary organisation covered by this Act.

2a. The paramilitary organisations covered by this Actl are:
The Real Irish Republican Army
The Continutity Irish Republican Army
The Official Irish Republican Army
The Irish National Liberation Army
Saoirse na hÉireann
Óglaigh na hÉireann
The Loyalist Volunteer Force
The Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Volunteer Force
The Red Hand Defenders
The Red Hand Commandos
The Orange Volunteers
The Ulster Young Militants

2b. The term 'political organisation and or front', as used within this Act shall refer to the following organisations:
Republican Sinn Féin
32 County Sovereignty Movement
Concerned Group for Republican Prisoners
The Worker's Party of Ireland
The Irish Republican Socialist Party
The Ulster Political Research Group
Progressive Unionist Party

3. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of External Affairs to monitor the list of paramiliitary organisations and 'political organisations and or front(s)' that are covered by this Act, and make any appropriate reccomendations to the Senate for alterations to thos lists.


I have suggested substantial changes to the bill. These changes include adding further paramilitary and political organisations to the bill and removed the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin from the original. The removal of the Provisionals and SF is motivated by the fact that the common position of the British and Irish governemtns and of the IMC is that The Provisional IRA has effectively gone out of business. Given that I see no reason why restrictions on SF should apply over and above any restrictions on other Irish political movements not involved in terrorism or criminality.

[Јas]

Without Republican Sinn Feinn and the 32 County Sovereignty Movement the proscribed political movements list is incomplete.

I had the 32CSM on the list, but admit oversight regarding Republican SF, which I have now added to the proposed amendment.

[Јas]

I have suggested substantial changes to the bill. These changes include adding further paramilitary and political organisations to the bill and removed the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin from the original. The removal of the Provisionals and SF is motivated by the fact that the common position of the British and Irish governemtns and of the IMC is that The Provisional IRA has effectively gone out of business. Given that I see no reason why restrictions on SF should apply over and above any restrictions on other Irish political movements not involved in terrorism or criminality.

While, I doubt that I'll ever few Sinn Fein or the Provisional IRA favorably, since it is, indeed, the case as far as the British and Irish governments are concerned that they have ceased paramilitary activity, I shall be supporting your amendment

My support is based on my trust in them. Let dare Sinn Fein or the Provisional IRA betray that trust because, if they do, I'll seek that Atlasia go way beyond banning funding. I'll seek the sequestration of any assets belonging them in Atlasia

'Hawk'

If the Provisionals return to terrorist activity, then I would support any such move by you.

[Јas]

Do you think we should sequestrate any Atlasian assets of those paramilitary organisations listed in Section 2, Clause a, Senator? To all intents and purposes they remain active

'Hawk'

Where it can be firmly established that the relevant assets are in fact theirs to use, then I would have no objection to such a move.

[Јas]

Aye

[Јas]

Today, the RTE have foiled a bomb plot on the part of the Real IRA. Yes, Irish paramilitary activity is still alive and well . Yes, they are still planning atrocities

Just to clarify, RTÉ (ireland's state broadcaster, á la the BBC) reported over the weekend that the Gardaí (Irish Police) discovered a large quantity of explosives believed to have been set to be used by the Real IRA, who are seeking to destabilise the important ongoing talks in the North before next months deadline. A defence forces spokesman said the devices found consisted of a gas cylinder packed with powdered explosives from shotgun pellets mixed with petrol. The use of such devices would likely have amounted to the most serious terrorist event in the North since the Omagh bombing in 1998.

[Јas]

Aye