asked the Taoiseach if he will give an assurance that adequate control exists in this country over secret and security services and that he is regularly kept informed of the activities of these services.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Secret and Security Services.
2.
The responsibility for ensuring that adequate control exists in the security area rests primarily with the Ministers concerned who keep me informed to the extent that is appropriate.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that the Ministers concerned are the Ministers for Justice and for Defence and that there are no other Ministers involved? Secondly, arising from the activities of a secret service from another jurisdiction elsewhere on this island, would the Taoiseach tell the House if there is, within this State, an equivalent secret service?
I am not quite sure what the Deputy is referring to.
There is no M15.
All the security forces in this State are well known and a matter of public knowledge.
With regard to the other part of my question, the Taoiseach referred to the Ministers for Defence and for Justice only.
I think so, yes.
Is the Taoiseach aware that an elite group are operating within the secret services or the security services of the State which have, among other things, the power to change their number plates at will? Given the fact that there must be a certain amount of discretion, would the Taoiseach tell the House how democratic control and accountability are maintained with regard to these services?
The Deputy is injecting new matter into his question.
Lest there be any doubt about this, I want to make it absolutely clear that the only security services in this country are a matter of public knowledge, financed through Departmental Estimates and totally under the control of the two Ministers mentioned by the Deputy.
A final supplementary question, Deputy. I have given the Deputy some worth-while latitude on this question.
Are there regular reviews of security agency structures on the mode of accountability? Are they regularly kept under review?
Yes. The whole area of security and the arrangements for security are kept under review.