Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has conducted any internal review, or received any intelligence briefings, concerning Chinese state-linked influence or lobbying activities involving Irish political representatives or institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55928/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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9. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department maintains a register or record of engagements between Irish public representatives and organisations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department; and if he will outline the Department’s policy on monitoring such contacts. [55929/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has raised with Chinese diplomatic authorities any concerns regarding the use of the former immigrant investor programme, or other investment mechanisms, as possible vehicles for political influence or intelligence gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55930/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish diplomatic missions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong have been instructed to report on United Front or other influence activities directed toward Ireland; and if so, when such reporting began. [55931/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9, 10 and 11 together.

Like any other democratic state, Ireland is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces work closely with other relevant bodies in respect of these issues. As you will appreciate, the Government does not comment on briefings provided in relation to intelligence matters.

It should be noted that it would be normal for the Embassy of China, as with any Embassy, to maintain a certain level of contact with Irish political representatives as part of their diplomatic engagement, for legitimate purposes, including promoting China’s political and economic priorities.

My Department does not keep a record of engagements by Irish public representatives. However, the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides for a Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials, including Members of the Oireachtas, on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions.

Ireland’s missions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong report regularly to my Department on a wide range of topics on which they maintain an awareness. It would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of these reports.

The Department of Justice has responsibility for the Immigrant Investor Programme, which was brought to a close in 2023.