IF “SOLID evidence” emerges that Irish passports have been forged or misused by a foreign government or its agents, the Government will make clear its objections in a “firm and appropriate” manner, Minister of State Peter Power told the Dáil yesterday.
Mr Power was defending the Government’s handling of the controversy surrounding allegations that a US-based Russian spy ring used forged Irish passports during an adjournment debate on the issue requested by Fine Gael’s spokesman on foreign affairs Seán Barrett.
Gardaí are investigating US allegations that six fake Irish passports containing material copied from valid passports were used by members of the espionage ring uncovered in the US this summer.
Mr Power said there had been no delay in carrying out the ongoing investigations.
He noted that given the allegations were made by the agency of a foreign government and concerned events outside Ireland, the investigation required the assistance of agencies from other countries.
“The process of gathering and substantiating evidence in such circumstances has been time consuming,” Mr Power said. “But it is hoped that the investigations will be completed within a couple of weeks.”
He said the Government’s concerns in relation to the allegations had been conveyed to the Russian authorities. Earlier this month Russian officials had been informed that, depending on the outcome of the current inquiries, the Government may seek the assistance of the Russian authorities in furthering the investigation.
Mr Power argued that there were “significant differences” between the case and that involving the use of forged Irish passports by suspects in the killing of a Hamas official in Dubai in January.
“The announcement by the Dubai authorities of the alleged use of forged Irish passports was accompanied by the publication of photocopies of the documents in question and video evidence linking the persons whose photos appeared in the forged passports with a murder for which Israel refused to deny charges of responsibility,” he said.
“In the circumstances it was entirely appropriate to immediately call in the Israeli ambassador and to ask for Israel’s assistance in explaining the matter.
“In the current case, where less evidence was publicly available at the time the allegation was made, the Minister for Foreign Affairs decided to first assess the nature of the evidence collated by the Garda and the Passport Service before deciding whether he himself should meet with the Russian ambassador.”
Mr Power noted that Ireland and Russia had “traditionally enjoyed very good relations” as shown by President Mary McAleese’s recent visit.
He said he could “categorically state” that there had been no attempt by the Russian authorities to “link the passport allegation to any aspect of our bilateral relations”.
Mr Power said once Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin had received the reports of the Garda and the Passport Service into the allegations he would consider the evidence presented to him before reporting to the Government and recommending whatever course of action he believed appropriate.