Shatter will use new anti-terrorism laws during G8 if necessary - Ó Clochartaigh
Sinn
Féin junior spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Defence, Senator Trevor Ó
Clochartaigh, speaking today during a Seanad debate on the Criminal Justice
Bill (2013), questioned whether the G8 Summit represented a ‘clear and present
danger’ of a terrorist attack to the people of Fermanagh.
This was following confirmation by Minister Shatter in the Seanad today, that
he will use new anti-terrorism laws, passed this week, during the G8 Summit
this weekend if necessary.
The bill gives extra powers to the gardaí in relation to tackling money
laundering and terrorist threats.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh said;
“There has been speculation that the minister rushed this legislation through
because of the impending G8 Summit. I asked him if he has any specific
intelligence that there is a ‘clear and present danger’ of a terrorist attack
as the world leaders gather in Fermanagh? He says he doesn’t, but that he
believes in the cautionary approach.
“The Minister said the Defence Forces had dealt with 98 incidences of
neutralising devices suspected of being explosive in 2012 and despite the Good
Friday Agreement being in place for 15 years that there is still a serious
threat and that the state needs the extra powers to deal with them and that it
is about saving lives.
“He said it was important, for example, that the Minister for Justice would
have the powers to shut down mobile phone networks if there is a threat they
may be used to detonate an explosive device.”
The Galway-West Senator added:
“I asked Minister Shatter who would inform him of such a danger? Is there any
chance that he would act on the behest of an external intelligence authority
such as the CIA, or who would direct him?
“He confirmed that such an order would only be given at the request of an
Assistant Garda Commissioner and that there is ongoing co-operation between the
Gardaí, Defence Forces, PSNI and their international counterparts and that he
would act strictly within the letter of the law contained in the new
legislation’.
“These are very far-reaching powers that must only use them in exceptional
circumstances and not under duress from any external forces”.
ENDS