Minister calls for identity of politician with ‘links to Russia’ to be revealed

Eamon Ryan has called for the identity of an Irish politician who was allegedly recruited as an agent by Russian intelligence to be publicly revealed.

The Transport Minister said it would remove any possibility of suspicion being cast upon the whole of the Oireachtas, but added that it should be carried out legally.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Helen McEntee urged elected representatives to remain vigilant and added: “We’re not immune to these kinds of threats.”

The Sunday Times reported that Russian intelligence used a “honeytrap” to recruit the politician as an agent during the Brexit talks, with one of the aims being to undermine relations between Britain, Ireland and the EU.

The paper also reported that while the Irish military and security services identified the potential agent, code-named Cobalt, they remain in the country’s parliament.

Mr Ryan said it was a “very significant allegation”.

“If that was the case, obviously, it is a real concern and a real security concern if you have a member of the Oireachtas acting in such a way,” he added.

“It’s very hard to know how that person could be identified.

“That is something that would benefit the rest of us, so that the suspicion doesn’t go on the entire Oireachtas. But legally obviously that has to be done so we have to wait and see how the allegations made can be verified.

“They are very serious, but until that point I think we have to be careful. We don’t know who that person is, obviously.”

Speaking on Monday, Ms McEntee said: “I think as a country and as elected representatives, we all need to remain vigilant.

“We’re not immune to these kinds of threats no matter how small a country we are or if we feel that we’re on the periphery – we’re not.

“We need to make sure that we’re all vigilant. My job is to make sure the gardai and our intelligence units have the appropriate laws, the resources, anything that they need to be able to counter this type of threat.”

Mr Ryan and Ms McEntee both said they had never been approached by anyone connected to the Russian government.

It comes as Aontu leader Peadar Toibin called on all political parties and independents to audit TDs and senadoiri to ensure “no undue influence from Russia or any other country”.

“While people will be intrigued by the report, its important to understand the threat that this poses,” he added.

“Ireland was hit by a cyber-attack in 2021 that has led to 100 million euro in costs so far.

“The costs are expected to increase to well over 600 million euro and many thousands of people have suffered due to significantly delayed health care.”

Mr Toibin said he was approached by a consultancy firm offering him a trip to Russia in 2017.

He said he was offered a stay in a five-star hotel and would be given a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This struck me as very strange and a little incredible. Given the anti-democratic nature of the Putin regime I indicated that I was not interested in it,” the independent TD added.

“Politically I believe that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Politicians are there to serve their citizens and not be in the pocket of others. Jollies such as this represent a threat of undue influence.

“The political system in Ireland has been replete with influence or control by others usually with a cheque book.

“That that influence would be sought in this manner from outside the country is obviously of serious concern. I passed the request to the international department of my previous party and told them I was not interested in attending.”

Mr Ryan also said that he is not aware of any approaches made to Green Party members.