Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has called for the establishment of a cross-border multi-disciplinary agency to tackle criminal activity in the border region.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, he said the "savage" assault on the Quinn Industrial Holdings executive Kevin Lunney has shocked and angered people across the country.
He said the savagery and the inhumanity reveals the continued existence of a minority criminal underground across the border region.
Mr Martin told the Dáil the assault was the latest in a long series of attacks, arson, intimidation and endangerment of workers since 2011.
He said the criminals have no respect for State authorities or the law and operate in a "twilight zone" of their own with savagery and murderous intent.
He said the attack had similarities to the attack on Paul Quinn in October 2007 who was lured into a barn and murdered.
Deputy Martin said there were groups of people trying to avoid forensic evidence by luring people to remote locations.
He said there was a terrible legacy in the border region that did not stop after the Good Friday Agreement and he said certain parliamentary elements continue regardless.
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Responding, Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation Heather Humpreys said the Government will consider setting up a statutory body to tackle crime in the area.
But she said there was already a cross-border task force in place to tackle cross border crime.
She told the Dáil she was horrified to hear about the attack on Kevin Lunney.
Minister Humphreys said people should be able to go to work without what she described as "horrific intimidation".
She said the Government will ensure that the necessary resources are in place to make sure the perpetrators of "this horrific attack" are brought to justice.
She said the gardaí and the PSNI are conducting a major inquiry and she said they are determined to find those responsible.
