Tánaiste tells Dáil he was 'never briefed' about alleged Russian spy in the Oireachtas
Micheál Martin says he's 'very surprised' at revelation, first reported in the Sunday Times
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence has told the Dáil that he has never been briefed about allegations that there may be a Russian spy in the Oireachtas.
Micheál Martin was responding to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín who raised the reports - first published by the Sunday Times - this Thursday afternoon.
In reply, Mr Martin, who was Taoiseach at the time, said he does not know if there is a spy and that he does not know who the individual at the centre of the allegations is.
"I was never told and never briefed that there was a spy in the Oireachtas," he stated.
The Fianna Fail leader went on to express concerns as to how the information, as reported at the weekend, came to light and "emerged in the public arena."
He added that he is "absolutely amazed" at what he described as the "herd-like" reaction to the story and the growing speculation regarding the identity of the individual involved.
The Tánaiste further commented that the story highlights an "issue of accountability" in terms of the intelligence services and how they operate.
"If this is true, then someone gave that information. And I don't think that's acceptable actually. I don't."