Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 1415: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to military intelligence keeping files on serving Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the number of such files that may be in existence. [1173/06]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 1416: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to military intelligence keeping files on former Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the number of such files that may be in existence. [1174/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1415 and 1416 together.

Both the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces perform complementary roles in the protection of the security of the State. There is ongoing and close liaison between the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding internal security matters including in the intelligence field. Both agencies gather and share information and assessments on perceived or emerging security threats. In addition, mutual assistance and co-operation is maintained between the Irish security services and those of other like-minded countries to ensure effective flow of relevant intelligence. The Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. In the intelligence field, the Defence Forces act in a complementary role, primarily in the gathering and analysis of intelligence on paramilitary activities, while also providing intelligence on external threats, in particular, threat assessments in respect of locations where the Defence Forces are deployed on overseas peace support missions. Military intelligence is also responsible for ensuring the security of the Defence Forces against internal threats.

I am advised that military intelligence does not maintain files on politicians or political activists per se. It would only be in cases where a person, or a group to which he or she belonged, was considered to pose a potential threat to the security interests of the State that it might be considered appropriate to monitor such activities. The director of intelligence provides briefings to me, to the Chief of Staff and to the deputy chief of staff for operations on such threats. In addition, the Chief of Staff, who is a member of the national security committee, apprises that committee on the nature of such threats. Due to their nature, the content of those briefings must be kept confidential. As such, I am not at liberty, nor would it be appropriate for me to indicate the nature and extent of any activities which the Defence Forces may undertake in this regard or to disclose information received by me on such issues.