'Dissident republicans' continue to pose a threat, Dáil told
So-called 'dissident republicans', who have their origins in the Provisional IRA and the INLA, continue to pose a threat, the Dáil has heard.
The Minister for Justice said that despite the progress towards peace made over the years, they continue to seek to return to the fruitless violence of the past.
Minister Jim O'Callaghan was speaking in the Dáil ahead of a vote on the renewal of the Offences against the State Act.
"They have remained resolute in their opposition to democracy and rule of law and all that the Good Friday Agreement stands for; and they remain wedded to brutality and criminality," Minister O'Callaghan said.
He said that it is also important not to lose sight of the threat from violent extremism and international terrorism.
The Minister added that terrorism - particularly jihadist and lone actor attacks - remains a key risk to the EU's internal security.
Ireland is not immune from the threats arising in this changed security environment, and the country must have the capability to deal with them, the Minister said.
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