There were no spies coming in from the cold in the Seanad on Wednesday as senators took the opportunity to deny they were Russian “assets”.
Their tongue-in-cheek denials follow the weekend revelation that a member of the Oireachtas had allegedly been recruited by Russian agents.
Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley initiated a series of non-confessions on Wednesday morning when he declared he was not a spy and urged others to do likewise. He had been calling for a debate on data centres during Order of Business proceedings.
“There have been some rumours circulating that members of the Upper House have been involved with Russia and there may or may not be a spy in our midst,” he said.
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“I think its important in order to avoid any potential stain on this house, that members would voluntarily make a statement that they are not the subject of any investigation or that they have never been in the clutches of Russia,” Mr Dooley added.
“And before I sit down, I can declare that I am not such person,” he said.
[ Concerns about Russian ‘asset’ among Oireachtas members raised in DáilOpens in new window ]
The Sunday Times reported that a TD or Senator, identified as “Cobalt” was recruited during the talks on Brexit between 2016 and 2020 and that a “honeytrap” was used in the operation. The story has provided much speculation about which of the 160 TDs and 60 Senators was involved, although the “asset” was reported as male.
Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer intervened, warning Mr Dooley to be cautious and said that nobody had been identified as the member recruited by Russian intelligence. Mr Buttimer added: “And I too, Senator Dooley like you, am not one of those people either.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin quipped during laughter in the House that she was not the spy either. Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne also confirmed: “I am not one either.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne also confirmed: “I am not a spy, I have no doubt that Senator Dooley isn’t a Russian spy himself.”
He added that Mr Dooley was too busy watching his party and Clare constituency colleague TD Cathal Crowe.
[ ‘Agent Cobalt’ fills role of Banquo’s ghost as Oireachtas amuses itselfOpens in new window ]
While Senators took a light hearted approach to the spy matter, at the weekend the only TD with high-ranking military experience described Ireland as “ground zero” among EU countries as a target for hybrid attacks and influence operations by Russia.
Independent Kildare TD Cathal Berry, a former Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing commander with extensive overseas experience said: “If you are looking to affect a western country with extensive assets and a poor security culture then Ireland is ground zero”.
Mr Berry said there was such a poor security culture in Ireland that many of the 220 members of the Oireachtas were not aware they were potential targets, even in terms of the accessibility of their mobile phones.
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