Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This weekend, it was once again confirmed to me that, in this country, we do not understand security or intelligence. Under the Irish intelligence system, the Garda is double-hatted – this is unlike the situation in any other state – and is responsible for both intelligence and policing. We find that the head of intelligence is now likely to be hired from abroad. Just think about that for a minute. Would, for example, MI5 employ someone from the CIA to run it? It is absolute nonsense that we would consider bringing in a foreigner to head up our intelligence service. I have never heard anything like it in my life. It makes us an international laughing stock. I ask that the appointment of the head of intelligence be stopped at this point until we have time to get someone who understands intelligence and security issues.