Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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433. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if ministerial offices are routinely checked for covert surveillance devices; if any such devices have ever been discovered since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40991/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate for sound reasons of national security it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that are taken to protect the security of ministerial offices.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to matters of national security and that all necessary and appropriate measures are taken with the support of An Garda Síochána, the body charged with providing both policing and security services in the State. Security services include protecting the State from espionage and unlawful acts that subvert or undermine, or are intended to subvert or undermine, parliamentary democracy or the institutions of the State.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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434. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her response to reports in relation to an Irish parliamentarian allegedly being a Russian asset; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40992/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Justice it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular allegation of this nature.

Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by hostile state activity including efforts by such states to exert influence. Our security services are very alive to that risk and keep their response under continuous review in light of ongoing developments.

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Gardaí are responsible for protecting the security of the State from espionage, sabotage, the subversion of parliamentary democracy, and acts of foreign interference. An Garda Síochána works closely with colleagues across the security apparatus of the State, as well as their international counterparts, in identifying and managing such threats.

It is also important that all public officials, including parliamentarians, exercise due care and vigilance with regard to the possibility of others seeking to exert influence or access to information that may be sensitive information.