asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has recently, or in the past, sought assurances from the Government of Great Britain that no member of its secret service is active in this State.
74.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Espionage Activity.
73.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has recently, or in the past, sought assurances from the Government of the USSR that the KGB or any such organisation is not operating in this State.
75.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought assurances, recently or in the past, from the Government of the USA that the CIA or any other such agency is not operating in this country.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 75 together.
The seeking of such assurances would serve no useful purpose.
The Deputy will understand that any foreign Government which attempted to operate clandestine secret service activities in this State would be acting contrary to the norms governing friendly relations between States and that any foreign Government which breached the norms of friendly relations in such a clandestine manner would be equally capable of giving a blatant assurance to the contrary.
Is the Minister satisfied that no foreign Government is acting against the norms of friendly relations between States?
I am not aware of any Government doing so.
Is the Minister satisfied that such is not the case?
In the nature of the event it is impossible for anybody to be satisfied about it. I am not aware of any information to the contrary.