Senators declare they are not spies amid claims of Russian agent in the Oireachtas

Senator Dooley said: "There have been some rumours circulating that members of the upper house have been involved with Russia and there may or may not be a spy in our midst. 

"I think it's important in order to avoid any potential stain on this house, that members would voluntarily make a statement that they are not the subject of any investigation or that they have never been in the clutches of Russia."

He added: "And before I sit down, I can declare that I am not such person."

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Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Jerry Buttimer chimed in to say: "And I too, Senator Dooley like you, am not one of those people either". Senator Buttimer did also remind the Seanad that no one has been named in the report. 

Although the declarations were met by some laughs, more senators stood forward to declare they also were not the alleged Russian agent.

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin and Fine Gael's Maria Byrne also said they were not spies. And Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne followed suit, saying: "I am not a spy, I have no doubt that Senator Dooley isn’t a Russian spy himself."

During his visit to Washington D.C, Taoiseach Simon Harris was asked by reporters if 'Cobalt' should identify themselves to avoid speculation. Harris said he was limited as to what he could say about the issue but that his priority was to make sure security services were empowered to keep the country safe.