Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will recall in the immediate aftermath of the chemical attack in Salisbury, the Government made a number of announcements. One was to expel a diplomat in the Russian embassy. The Government also announced that weekend that it was undertaking a full security assessment of the risks Ireland faces from Russian activity in Ireland. Has that review been concluded? Is it still in train? How will the results of that assessment be conveyed to the House?

I will also ask about the concerns voiced at the time about the proposed size of the extension to the Russian embassy and the fact it was being built by Russian builders, all of whom were coming in here with work permits provided by Irish authorities. Has that concern been assuaged by discussions with the Russian authorities? Where stands that extension?

I will raise an important matter I have raised on a number of occasions. Have we as a nation determined, or has the Government determined, we should have a bespoke security agency bringing together the best expertise in military intelligence and in cybersecurity in the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána? We are almost unique in not having such an agency. Is it time for it? Has the Taoiseach given consideration to establishing such an agency?

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