Rose Conway-Walsh: Demand for Stronger Oireachtas Security Oversight
Rose Conway-Walsh questioned the Taoiseach on expanding democratic oversight of national security in the Oireachtas and asked for the outcome of the investigation into the drone incident during President Zelensky's visit. She argued public trust depends on transparency, accountability and parliamentary scrutiny as Ireland prepares to assume the EU Presidency.
Immediate request to the Taoiseach
Rose Conway-Walsh directly asked the Taoiseach to commit to expanding the Oireachtas role in scrutinising national security policy, stressing that oversight must be balanced with protection of sensitive information. She pressed for a clear timetable and stronger parliamentary mechanisms to build public confidence.
Why strengthened oversight matters
Conway-Walsh said trust in Ireland's national security framework must be grounded in transparency, accountability and proper democratic oversight. She argued current mechanisms are limited in scope and visibility and called for reforms to align Ireland with international best practice.
Drone incident and EU Presidency implications
She also raised the ongoing investigation into the drone incident connected to President Zelensky's visit and asked when it will be completed and reported. The question is framed in the context of Ireland taking the EU Presidency in July and the need to reassure visiting officials about their security.
Government response and next steps
The Taoiseach acknowledged a review of standing orders and discussions with the Chief of Police, and indicated the matter would be returned to the House. Conway-Walsh pressed that any expansion of oversight must include capacity to protect sensitive operational information while increasing parliamentary scrutiny.
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Go raibh maith agat. Taoiseach, the effectiveness of our national security framework depends not only on the capabilities of our security services, but also on maintaining the trust and confidence of the public. The trust must be grounded in transparency, accountability and proper democratic oversight. At present, however, the mechanisms available to this House to scrutinise national security policy remain limited in both scope and visibility. Strengthening the oversight role of the Oireachtas, while at the same time fully respecting the need to protect sensitive and operational information, would bring Ireland more closely in line with the international best practices. This issue takes an added importance as we prepare to take over the EU Presidency in July, and our EU partners are looking to us for reassurances that their officials will be safe while visiting Ireland. So, Taoiseach, will you commit to expanding democratic oversight of our national security within the Oireachtas in order to strengthen public confidence and trust in this area? And I want to ask you about the investigation into the drone incident, President Zelensky's visit. When will that investigation be completed and reported on? Rose Conway-Walsh, National Security Framework. This was the first dial, actually, where we had a committee of covering security, national security. I want to see democratic oversight. It does have to protect sensitive information, and there's a big question mark over the capacity of the Oireachtas to do that, if we're honest. Most committees don't really, you know, can be fairly lucent with documents, but that's the nature of modern democracy in one respect. Some of the forces as well as services can let information out as well. But part of that, I think there's a review going on the way on that, I think, of the committee's remit. But there is, but obviously we're constrained in the job. No, but there's a review of the standing orders, I think, is my understanding. I've discussed it with the Chief of Police. So we'll come back to you after this. Thanks, Taoiseach. But I accept the basic principle of democratic oversight of national security measures.
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