HIGH LEVELS of youth unemployment are providing a "ripe feeding ground" for dissident republicans, Fine Gael leader Enda Kennyhas warned.

As talks continued in the North to resolve the political crisis over devolution of policing and justice, Mr Kenny also offered his party’s support for the Government’s efforts, adding that “if the people so decide in due course that we should be in government”, the North would retain the same high priority for Fine Gael.

During Opposition leaders' questions in the Dáil, Mr Kenny told Tánaiste Mary Coughlanthat given the economic challenges facing the island of Ireland "we should be acutely aware and vigilant of the recruitment drive that is now going on for dissident republicans".

He spoke of the potential “catastrophic implications of at least three 600lb bombs that were placed in various locations in the North.”

These were disrupted by good contacts between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.

However, “at a time of economic depression here where emigration is back on the agenda, where you have hundreds of thousands of young people facing unemployment, this is ripe feeding ground for dissidents who have no other ambition or aim but to disrupt normal life on this island”.

Mr Kenny said it was a matter “that has to be brought to the highest level, at secretary of state level but also at prime ministerial level. This is not an issue to be fooled around with and I offer you the fullest support possible in dealing with intelligence and vigilance and a diversion from that kind of activity by recruiting them to work and the creation of employment, which is the answer to a lot of that.”

Fine Gael “stands four-square behind the efforts of the Government to have the Good Friday Agreement implemented in full”. Mr Kenny added that “as leader of the opposition – and if the people so decide in due course that we should be in government – then that will still be the same priority”.

Ms Coughlan stressed the commitment of the “Government, the Minister for Justice and the Garda working in conjunction with the PSNI to ensure people are apprehended”.

A TD for Donegal South West, she was “aware of the issues as a Border deputy that arises in the context of dissidents”.

The Tánaiste said “the sharing of intelligence has been superb and there is a very close working relationship between the gardaí at all levels and the PSNI. With regard to the Garda force, we have 14,500 gardaí and we will continue to ensure that the issues of dissidents is dealt with.”

She welcomed the support of “all parties in their resolve as well to ensure that there is no political support for such people”.