The former Taoiseach Mr John Bruton has criticised the weakness of legislation covering the postal service in the event of anthrax being sent in the post.
However, Fianna Fβil said Mr Bruton was scaremongering and being deliberately misleading. He said Mr Bruton ignored the fact that Mr Ahern's letter said people could be convicted under criminal law.
Mr Bruton had claimed the only action that could be taken against terrorists or anyone else who sends anthrax or other dangerous materials in the post was to impose a £10 fine. He said the Taoiseach had revealed this in a letter sent to him.
In the letter, Mr Ahern said this issue fell within the remit of the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, who had informed him that under Section 63 of the Post Office Act, 1908, it is a criminal offence to send a package through the post which encloses any noxious or dangerous substance.
"On summary conviction, an offender under this section is liable to a fine not exceeding £10. The penalty for conviction on indictment is a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months." However, Mr Ahern pointed out that "depending on the circumstances" someone who sends such a substance through the post may be the subject of criminal charges under the general criminal law for a variety of offences.
The Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne said recently the sending of bogus material was a serious matter and those responsible, if convicted, may face terms of imprisonment of up to five years.