IRA surveillance of politicians 'serious' - Ahern

The Taoiseach expressed concern yesterday about reports that politicians, including a former minister for justice, were put under surveillance by members of the Provisional IRA.

"These are obviously very serious matters, that information was being gathered about members of the elected assembly of the Houses of the Oireachtas," said Mr Ahern.

He was replying to questions from Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny following the conviction of two men for membership of the Provisional IRA.

The courts had dealt, said Mr Ahern, with the situation where "people were engaged in such activity for criminal or paramilitary purposes or whatever".

The Taoiseach added that those involved would not be covered under the terms of early release under the Belfast Agreement. He said he had not been given any information about the matter in a security briefing until the court cases were held.

Mr Kenny said that one of those involved had a very close association with a member of the House. "In fact, he conducted the dual role of the Dublin IRA brigade intelligence officer and election agent for a Sinn Féin member of the House," he added.

He asked when Mr Ahern became aware of the surveillance of the movement of members of the House. Up to 20 members of the House were not informed by the appropriate authorities that this "spying" was being conducted, he added.

"Why is it that members of the House had to read about it in the newspapers?," asked Mr Kenny. He said that this activity took place at a time when the IRA was on ceasefire.

"These members, now convicted, were on active duty," said Mr Kenny.

Mr Ahern said it would not have been appropriate for the Minister for Justice to raise the issue when the people involved were charged.

"I had no information, and do not to this day, except what has come out in court," he added. "Apparently these two, and perhaps others associated with them, had documents relating to a former minister for justice and to the movement of Dáil politicians." That they were gathering such information was a serious issue, said Mr Ahern, adding that they had been sentenced for their activities. "I still do not know what was the motive for following members of this House."