Calls to provide all Oireachtas members with panic buttons amid growing safety concerns

Senator Martin Conway said he has been harassed on five occasions over the past six weeks. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins

Calls have been made to provide all members of the Oireachtas with personal panic buttons amid growing concerns for politicians and their staff.

It comes after Justice Minister Helen McEntee received a hoax bomb threat on her family home and protests have been mounted outside the homes of Taoiseach Simon Harris and Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman in recent weeks.

Heightened public aggression and security concerns were discussed during a private meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.

Clare senator Martin Conway said he has been harassed on five occasions over the past six weeks both on the street and on public transport.

He said the level of aggression has increased with people approaching him to confront him on issues including covid and immigration. He proposed that members of the Oireachtas be provided with personal panic buttons.

Senator Garret Ahearn said staff in politicians'  offices feel 'very vulnerable'.

Parliamentary Party chair Alan Farrell promised to discuss the security concerns with the Oireachtas Commission and report back to members.

He agreed security supports for politicians and their staff are inadequate with the meeting hearing of difficulties experienced by a number of members in obtaining money available to help with the cost of CCTV and other security measures.

Senator Garret Ahearn said staff in local offices are "very vulnerable" as they rely on members paying half of the expense to keep them safe. He said this is not fair on the staff.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin addressed a private Green Party meeting briefing politicians on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

It is understood the Government is now considering May 21 as the date Ireland and a number of other like-minded countries will recognize the state of Palestine.

Mr Martin said Ireland will intervene in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice soon after South Africa has filed its substantive case, which he expects to happen by October.