The Minister for Justice has accused the IRA of engaging in a "sustained campaign of criminality" since the signing of the Belfast Agrement.
"I have said this not just about so-called policing of nationalist and republican areas in Northern Ireland, but about criminality of the worst kind, theft and robbery," said Mr McDowell. "It has been orchestrated by senior members of the provisional hierarchy on a sustained basis."
The Minister said he had been asked to either put up or shut up. "On my honour, I say this country has been the victim of sustained criminality by leading members of the provisional movement.
"It is not just people's limbs being broken and people being exiled or threatened. There has been and, despite mendacious claims that the Supreme Court decided otherwise, we have been vindicated at every hand's turn on that matter. That is the solid position of the Government, which has not and will not change."
The reality, Mr McDowell said, was that only one party in the House wanted to see the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe released. He asked if anybody believed that the Taoiseach, himself and their Government colleagues would authorise their release if there was a conceivable alternative.
The Government was united on its approach to the issue of the ending of criminality, he said. "There is not a chink of difference between us."
Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said he believed that the DUP last week lacked the courage and the political will to sign up for a deal.
"That they came so far represents real progress, in spite of last week's setback," he added. "I am convinced that time and patient negotiation will bring them further and I believe that can happen sooner rather than later."
He added that anybody who knew anything about republican history and the history of the peace process itself must acknowledge the huge significance of the IRA initiative. "The IRA deserves credit for taking this very difficult and courageous step," he said.
Mr Ó Caoláin said the way forward should include direct dialogue between the DUP and Sinn Féin, adding that the DUP owed it to its electorate to give leadership by entering talks.
