Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1112. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the security of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, which An Taoiseach requested the Garda Commissioner to carry out; the actions that have been carried out as part of this review; when the outcome of the review will be communicated to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1352/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, for good reason it is not the practice to deal publicly with security matters and it would not be appropriate for me to give details of the arrangements that may be put in place in this regard. To do so would be contrary to the public interest.
The personal safety of individuals is a priority, and the arrangements for security operate dynamically on the basis of an ongoing threat assessment and a risk analysis carried out by An Garda Síochána who are the operational experts in these matters. Arrangements in individual cases are subject to review by An Garda Síochána, having regard to the particular circumstances and in consultation with certain office holders. An Garda Síochána has engaged both with office holders and with the Houses of the Oireachtas to ensure appropriate briefing, advice and/or security measures, where necessary, are made available in the interests of personal safety.
More generally, my Department and An Garda Síochána keep all security matters, including the safety and security of public representatives, under constant review.
