Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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49. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the fact that there may be potential security risks for the State in the near future due to the ongoing presence of Russian diplomats working here; if he has had discussions with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16537/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to the State’s security.

As he will be aware, An Garda Síochána carries out a range of functions in safeguarding our national security, including actions to counter terrorist threats, to support international security and to protect the State and its vital interests, where necessary, from espionage and unlawful acts of foreign interference.

In this regard the Garda authorities work very closely on a continuing basis with the Defence Forces and all other relevant authorities.

In respect of these functions I and the Government are briefed on an ongoing basis, both directly and through officials.

As the House will appreciate, it is a longstanding policy not to comment on the detail of specific security arrangements that may be put in place. To reveal the detail of such arrangements would be quite simply to undermine them and to hand advantage to those who my wish to do harm to people or to the State’s vital interests.

I feel sure the Deputy will understand when I tell him that I have no intention of departing from the longstanding practice of my predecessors in this regard.

In 1967 Ireland ratified the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963. These two international treaties codify what is perhaps one of the oldest and most accepted fields of international law, namely the formal relations between states and their official representatives. 

As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland maintains friendly relationships with many other states and all members of diplomatic or consular missions are required to respect the laws of the states where they are assigned, including the very clear obligations under the Vienna Conventions. 

Any breach of those obligations is treated seriously. The Deputy will appreciate that the accreditation of any diplomat is granted by the host state and can be terminated by the host state.  The termination of an accreditation of a diplomatic staff member from another state is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.