Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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535. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been briefed on the reported existence of a Russian spy in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [9754/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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536. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been briefed on the identity of the individual who is, according to media reports, a Russian spy in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [9759/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to the State's security.

Like any other democratic state, Ireland 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 to access information that may be sensitive.

As Minister, I am briefed regularly by the Garda Commissioner and by my officials on security matters. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to describe the content of any such briefings.