That Dáil Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2021 and ending on 29th June, 2022. 

The two motions before Deputies today seek the continuation in force of important provisions in law aimed at combatting terrorism and organised crime. As Minister for Justice, I am required to lay reports before the Oireachtas on the use of the relevant provisions of the two Acts covering the 12 months to 31 May 2021. Those reports were placed before the House on 18 June 2021. 

The Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 was enacted in the aftermath of the atrocity at Omagh in August 1998, which saw the murder by the Real IRA of 29 innocent people. While there has been significant progress towards a lasting peace, regrettably there remains a real and persistent threat from paramilitary groups who remain wedded to violence and are contemptuous of the vast majority of the people on this island who wish to life their lives in peace. These robust provisions provide strong legislative powers to ensure the gardaí and the courts are in position to meet the challenge laid down by those opponents of peace.... 

[For the full debate, click this link to the Oireachtas website]