The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, is being pressed to outlaw the sale and possession of scanners capable of picking up Garda radio messages following the armed raid on a security van in Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Labour and Fine Gael yesterday called for a statement from the Minister as to why there was no armed escort for the van, which was carrying £1.2 million. Both parties also called for restrictions on the sale of radio scanners.
Gardai were still trying to identify the paramilitary gang responsible for the raid last Tuesday evening. The gang snatched about half of the £1.2 million but abandoned most of it when its original getaway car broke down.
Gardai close to the investigation yesterday said they had accounted for all but £80,000 of the money.
It is believed the gang may have associations with the dissident republican elements which are opposed to the IRA ceasefire, and was seeking to finance a renewed campaign of violence.
There are strong suspicions that the gang is composed of former Provisional IRA members now linked either to the "Real" or "Continuity" IRA.
There were suspicions that the dissidents would attempt another armed robbery after the failure of an attempt to hijack another security van in Ashford, Co Wicklow last May. One of their members, Ronan Mac Lochlainn, was shot dead then by gardai.
Yesterday the Fine Gael justice spokesman, Mr Jim Higgins, called for a "clear and unambiguous" statement from the Minister for Justice as to why there was no armed Garda or Army escort for the security van in Dalkey.
He said: "By any standards, it represents a most serious lapse in security arrangements that such a significant consignment of money was moved without proper security."
Mr Higgins also called on the Minister to explain how the gang was able to "make good their getaway by eavesdropping on confidential Garda communications during the course of a critical police operation after they had shot an innocent bystander".
He added: "The Minister must explain what steps, if any, he is taking to have the law in relation to the sale and purchase of scanners on the high street reviewed as a matter of urgency."
A similar call came from the Labour Party's justice spokesman, Dr Pat Upton. He said: "I am appalled that anyone can listen in to Garda communications using a scanner that can be bought over the counter.
"It is vital that the Minister for Justice moves swiftly to restrict the availability of these devices. In addition, that Minister must outline his plans to provide the Garda with a secure communications network that cannot be accessed by criminals."
Dr Upton added: "This is a serious security failure and the Minister for Justice must explain why such a large sum of money was in transit without security protection."
Senior Dublin Garda sources yesterday pointed out that between 70 and 80 security vans carrying large amounts of cash move around the capital every day. Providing armed escorts for all would entail a major personnel commitment by the Garda.
It is understood the Garda stepped up patrolling in anticipation of an armed robbery on a cash-handling premises or security van over Christmas, but the level of Garda activity was reduced as the Christmas spending ended.
The gang responsible for the Dalkey raid carried out detailed planning and preparation.
The gang was armed with at least three AK47 rifles and at least one Ruger handgun. Gardai firmly believe the members were prepared to kill officers if confronted.