"British Government Spies Must Be Expelled from Irish Government Buildings"

"British Government Spies Must Be Expelled from Irish Government Buildings" - Tóibín

The Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called on the new Taoiseach to expel British spies from Irish government buildings.

Speaking today, Deputy Tóibín said: "Revelations that British agents are operating in our government buildings in Dublin are extremely concerning and could seriously damage British-Irish relations. A former agent under the pseudonym Sam Rosenfeld made the revelation in The Irish News today, that a 'senior government official' in Dublin is employed by the British Army. The new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, together with the new Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, need to seriously investigate this matter"

Deputy Tóibín continued: "As someone who sits on the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, I can well see how this revelation is going to cause a massive rift in British-Irish relations. The idea of a foreign government spying on another State is extremely concerning".

"Aontú has written to the chair of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to request that a meeting of our committee be convened as a matter of urgency, this side of Christmas, and to ensure that this item is front and central on the agenda", concluded Tóibín.

CRÍOCH

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For Written Answer on : 15/11/2022
Question Number(s): 469 Question Reference(s): 56262/22
Department: Justice
Asked by: Peadar Tóibín T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Justice if she has been shown any evidence that MI5 is operating in the south of Ireland.

I am sure the Deputy will understand that it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on security matters.

I can say that there is a long shared history between the authorities in both jurisdictions in preventing terrorism on the island and well established mechanisms are in place to support high levels of cooperation between both jurisdictions. An Garda Síochána maintains a close working relationship with the police and security services in Northern Ireland and Great Britain and, indeed, with their counterparts in the EU and other third countries in respect of ongoing international efforts to counter terrorism.

In its capacity as the State's security service, An Garda Síochána remains vigilant in relation to allegations of any activity by foreign security services in this jurisdiction.

I would also make clear to the Deputy that all persons in this jurisdiction are fully subject to our laws and any evidence of breach of the criminal law would be fully pursued in the normal way by the relevant authorities.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.